Jose Rizal University scored a big upset against De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, 18-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-23, to end a dry spell in the NCAA Season 100 men's volleyball tournament on Tuesday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
The Bombers, who were winless at the end of the first round, broke through for a 1-9 record while the Blazers absorbed shock back-to-back losses to go 8-2.
The rookie tandem of Harry Ocay and Paolo Barrientos led the stunner with the former dropping 20 points and 23 receptions while the latter churned out 17 markers, 17 receptions, and 10 digs to help revive their Final Four chances.
Down one in the fourth set, 18-19, JRU held on to mount a late uprising with Ocay unleashing a cross court attack before Benilde committed two costly errors that allowed the Bombers to secure a 23-20 cushion.
But Benilde roared back with Raymark Betco and Arnel Aguilar trimming the deficit to a solitary point at 23-22. Betco, however, had a faulty service to enable JRU to secure the match point at 24-22.
JRU then had to hold its breath on the final Barrientos outside attack that was initially ruled outside. The Bombers challenged the call for a block touch, which was then awarded to the then-winless JRU.
Betco and Rocky Motol paced Benilde with 20 points apiece with the latter also grabbing eight digs and 17 receptions.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
