San Beda University surged to its fourth win in a row after dumping Mapua University with a 25-20, 25-16, 25-23 win in the NCAA Season 101 men's volleyball on Wednesday at the San Andres Sports Complex.
Veterans Axel Van Book and Ralph Cabalsa formed a lethal pair as the Red Spikers claimed solo second in Group B with a 5-2 record, behind defending champion Arellano University. The Cardinals, meanwhile, slipped to a 3-3 card in the other group.
Book delivered a double-double outing of 17 points and 16 receptions, while Cabalsa churned out 14 markers in a match that lasted for just an hour and 13 minutes.
Anrie Bakil and Ryan Rosman scored nine and eight points, respectively.
Mapua forced a 16-all deadlock in Set 3 after middle blocker Adrian Musni fired a quick kill, but San Beda answered with a 3-0 burst, highlighted by back-to-back hits from Book, to seize a 19-16 advantage.
The Cardinals tried to keep the Red Spikers within reach, but Cabalsa’s powerful combination play restored a three-point cushion for San Beda, 23-20.
Mapua refused to fold as Barbie San Andres delivered a kill from the left wing and Rosman committed an attack error, trimming the deficit to 23-22.
Alener Munsing’s quick attack was initially ruled a block by Mapua, but a successful challenge overturned the call and handed San Beda match point, 24-22.
Arjay Ramos saved one match point courtesy of a drop ball, but a tip at the middle from Bakil punctuated the sweep victory for the streaking Red Spikers, who were coming off huge wins against Letran, JRU, and San Sebastian.
Ramos and San Andres carried the offensive load for Mapua with 13 and 10 points each.
The win built significant momentum for San Beda ahead of its highly important clash with De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde on Saturday while Mapua looks to bounce back when it tackles Emilio Aguinaldo College side on Sunday.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
