Mapua University just created a tight three-way logjam at the top spot after silencing University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, 25-20, 25-23, 23-25, 25-17, in the NCAA Season 100 women's volleyball on Saturday.
The surging Lady Cardinals overcame a third set hiccup to deny the Lady ALTAs at their home court and cruise to their seventh straight victory for a 7-2 card.
With the victory, Mapua has forged a three-way tie with Perpetual and defending champion De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde at the number one spot ahead of the second round.
Mapua, who has not lost a game again ever since its 0-2 start to the season, relied once more in its depth with lefty opposite spiker Raissa Ricablanca nailing 17 points and Freighanne Garcia collecting 14 markers alongside 12 receptions.
Nadine Berces was also huge with a double-double effort of 12 points and 21 digs while veteran middle blocker Nicole Ong chipped in 10 markers.
The Lady Cardinals, who were just coming off a massive four-set takedown of the Lady Blazers two days ago, tried to win it in three this time around after staging a third-set comeback that erased a 24-21 Perpetual lead.
But the Lady ALTAs made sure to extend their lives with Jemalyn Menor unloading a power kill from the left wing to force the fourth set.
Mapua, though, won't be denied in the fourth set with Berces, Garcia, and Ong all conniving to star in their 13-7 start while a Ricablanca opposite attack made it a 16-9 cushion.
Two-time Best Middle Blocker Ong then unleashed a quick attack with authority that brought the Lady Cardinals to a 23-15 lead before Ricablanca caught the line on her opposite kill for the match point, 24-16.
Sophomore Garcia was the one who put the punctuation by going for a cross court attack as Mapua ended its first-round campaign on a high note.
The loss spoiled an 18-point performance from rookie Menor and a 13-point outing from fourth-year Bedaña.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
