Lyceum of the Philippines University compounded Emilio Aguinaldo College's woes after securing a 25-21, 14-25, 19-25, 25-20, 15-12 win in the NCAA Season 101 women's volleyball on Saturday at the San Andres Sports Complex in Manila.
The Lady Pirates turned back the Lady Generals to snap their six-game slump and improve to 4–9 ahead of the knockout play-in stage, where the two teams will also battle for the last quarterfinal berth.
Stacey Lopez starred in the thrilling escape with 20 points while Ashley Muchillas churned out 17 markers. LPU also got solid contribution from 19-year-old Shiela Muchillas, who posted a triple-double of 11 points, 17 digs, and 14 receptions as they kept EAC winless through 12 games this season.
The defeat also extended EAC’s losing streak to 16 games dating back to last season.
LPU refused to become EAC’s first victim this season, climbing back after dropping Sets 2 and 3 as Lopez and the rest of the crew steadied the ship for the Lady Pirates to force a deciding set.
The Intramuros crew then opened the fifth frame with a blazing 3-0 start before the Lady Generals unleashed a 3-0 run of their own to force a deadlock.
The Lady Pirates had enough fuel to answer any resistance from EAC with Lopez returning an overpass and Hiromi Osada completing a quick attack to give LPU a comfortable 13-7 cushion. The Lady Pirates clinched the match point, 14-8, when Erica Bodonal misfired her serve.
However, EAC staged a last-gasp comeback by staging a 4-0 blast capped by an Angel Perez kill from the left wing, 14-12. But Lopez responded with her own hit to finish it off for LPU.
Cara Dayanan led EAC in yet another loss after tallying 17 points while Alessandra Razonable and Perez chipped in 13 and 10 markers apiece.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
