Mapua University missed one of its stars, but its depth proved to be too much for Emilio Aguinaldo College after eking out a 25-23, 17-25, 28-26, 25-23 win in NCAA Season 101 women's volleyball on Sunday at the San Andres Sports Complex.
The Lady Cardinals were without top gunner Freighanne Garcia but rookie Alexander Leabres rose to the occasion as Mapua halted its three-game slide to improve to 3-4 in Group A while the Lady Generals remained winless at 0-8.
The 18-year-old Leabres returned with a vengeance, erupting for a team-high 22 points while adding eight digs. Raissa Ricablanca and Franchesca Esteban provided solid support with 15 and 11 markers, respectively.
After suffering cramps late in their match against Lyceum and sitting out the next game versus San Beda, Leabres made a commanding comeback. The first-year outside spiker delivered in the clutch, powering Mapua’s Set 4 escape that allowed the Lady Cardinals to avoid a major collapse against the slumping EAC.
Mapua trailed by three when Leabres committed an attack error, giving EAC an 18-15 lead. But she made up for it, converting two attack points as part of a huge 7-0 blast that turned things around in favor of Mapua, 22-18.
The Lady Generals threatened to turn the tide as Erica Bodonal fired an ace to trim the gap to 22-20. However, Leabres and Nadine Berces quickly restored order by combining for a kill and an ace to push Mapua to match point, 24-20.
Refusing to fold, the Lady Generals displayed their resolve with a 3-0 response punctuated by an Angel Perez opposite hit that brought them within one, 24-23.
Still, Leabres would not be denied. The rookie standout rose from the left wing and blasted the final attack off the hands of Ashley Toriado and Cara Dayanan to seal the victory and bring Mapua back to the win column.
Despite the loss, EAC had a few bright spots with the quartet of Alex Razonable, Mae Pasaol, Dayanan, and Toriado all breaching double-digit marks. Pasaol top-scored with 16 points while Razonable and Toriado both chimed in with 15 markers. Dayanan finished with 12 markers.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
