Mapua University broke out of its slump after sweeping defending champion Arellano University, 25-21, 25-21, 25-18, in NCAA Season 101 men's volleyball on Tuesday at the San Andres Sports Complex.
The Cardinals ended their three-game skid to improve to 4-5 in Group A while also sending the Chiefs to their first back-to-back losses for a 5-4 card in Group B.
The victory also served as a measure of redemption for the Cardinals, who were knocked out by the Chiefs in last year’s Final Four after squandering their twice-to-beat advantage.
Arjay Ramos took the scoring cudgels for Mapua with a team-high 20 points built on 18 attacks and two blocks while graduating team captain Barbie San Andres churned out 13 markers and 14 receptions to help Mapua revive its campaign.
San Andres turned a narrow 8-6 edge into a comfortable 16-11 cushion in the third set, exposing a gap in Arellano’s backrow defense with a down-the-line kill that ignited Mapua's breakaway.
Ramos then unleashed a cross-court hammer to make it a 20-15 lead before he soared for another kill that clinched the match point for Mapua, 24-18. Adrian Musni then returned Ervin Osabel's attack to complete the game-winning block and secure the straight-set victory.
AC Guinto paced Arellano with 12 points, four digs, and five receptions while CJ Dominguito chipped in six markers and 12 receptions.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
