San Beda University bounced back in a big way, quickly defeating Lyceum of the Philippines University with a 25-14, 25-19, 25-16 win in NCAA Season 101 women's volleyball on Wednesday at the San Andres Sports Complex.
The Lady Red Spikers left no stone unturned against the Lady Pirates, determined to move past their previous five-set loss to the Perpetual Lady ALTAs and improve to 8-2 in Group B.
More than just a redemption win, the victory carried bigger implications as San Beda secured an outright quarterfinal berth and locked up a twice-to-beat advantage, joining Colegio de San Juan de Letran in earning the incentive.
San Beda, though, lost Angel Habacon to an apparent left ankle injury very early in Set 1 after the league's top scorer stepped on her blocker's foot. The third-year star sat on the bench for the rest of the game.
Still, San Beda's depth was on full display with Jeliane Catubig stepping up and finishing with 14 points laced with seven digs and seven receptions while Janelle Bachar and Sofia Dela Cruz posted 13 and eight markers each.
San Beda turned a slim 15-13 lead into a huge 21-13 cushion when the Mendiola crew launched a 6-0 rampage led by an Erin Navarro ace and a Catubig free spike off an overpass from LPU.
Shiela Pascual tried to bring life to the Lady Pirates with two attacks in the next plays, but Catubig unloaded an ace that sent San Beda to the match point before Kat Molina punctuated the sweep victory from the opposite side.
The straight-set victory marked a huge leap from San Beda's last season's finish, where the Lady Red Spikers only managed to win four games in 18 outings.
—JKC, GMA integrated News
