Raissa Ricablanca and Freighanne Garcia connived to lift Mapua University to a 21-25, 25-22, 25-14, 25-19 win against San Sebastian College-Recoletos in the NCAA Season 101 women's volleyball on Tuesday at the San Andres Sports Complex.
Garcia poured an all-around outing of 16 points, 10 digs, and three receptions while Ricablanca topscored with 18 points as the Lady Cardinals bounced back from a previous loss to defending champion De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde to improve to 1-1.
The Lady Stags, who opened their campaign with a four-set romp of Jose Rizal University last Saturday, slipped to a 1-1 card.
San Sebastian threatened to fight back in the fourth set by establishing a 15-13 lead, but Mapua was quick to regain its footing thanks to a quick shot from veteran middle blocker Nicole Ong as they forced a 15-all deadlock.
Ricablanca broke the tie by taking advantage of an overpass before Franchesca Esteban's opposite hammer saw the Lady Cardinals taking a crucial 22-18 cushion.
Garcia then unleashed back-to-back kills to clinch the match point at 24-18 as Nadine Berces provided the punctuation with a kill from the back row.
Ong tallied 13 points built on five blocks while Alexander Llabres chipped in 12 as Mapua broke through in the tournament.
Tina Marasigan was the only player from San Sebastian to reach the double digit as the senior spiker posted 11 points while Kath Santos put together eight points and four receptions.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
