San Sebastian College-Recoletos halted its slide in emphatic fashion, pulling off a 25-23, 15-25, 25-22, 25-22 win over Arellano University in NCAA Season 101 men's volleyball on Saturday at the San Andres Sports Complex in Manila.
The Stags overcame a subpar Set 2 showing before outlasting defending champions Chiefs in the next two frames to end their three-game slump and improve to 4-5 in Group A. Arellano, meanwhile, absorbed its third loss in the last five games for a 5-3 card in Group B.
Veteran outside hitter Kyle Villamor took charge in the endgame to finish with a game-high 27 points laced with 20 receptions while Lance Rafallo and Rheinmart Alba chipped in 15 and 12 markers apiece. Rafallo also grabbed four digs and five receptions.
San Sebastian drew first blood but lost the second set in a lopsided manner, as Jake Pangilinan and Daniel Agovida connived to guide Arellano to a 10-point Set 2 victory.
Back-to-back blocks by San Sebastian broke a 20-all deadlock in Set 3 before another rejection on Bryan Cabrera sent the Stags to set point, 24-21. Rafallo closed out the frame by swinging from the left wing over the Arellano wall to give San Sebastian a 2-1 lead.
San Sebastian found itself in trouble early in the fourth set after CJ Dominguito powered Arellano University to an 18-15 advantage. But the Stags answered with a telling 4-0 surge to seize a slim 19-18 lead.
Arellano threatened to turn things around behind team captain Jiwen Sinuto, but a costly attack error from the seasoned opposite hitter handed San Sebastian match point at 24-21.
Rafallo then delivered the knockout blow, blasting through the double block of Agovida and Cabrera to seal the victory and hand the Chiefs their third loss of the season.
Sinuto top-scored once more for Arellano with 16 points and four digs while Pangilinan posted 14 markers built on four blocks.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
