San Beda University got a new lease on life after shocking Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 25-17, 21-25, 25-23, 25-21, in Game 2 of their NCAA Season 101 women’s volleyball Final Four series on Wednesday.
The win allowed the Lady Red Spikers to snap Letran’s impressive 15-game winning streak to force a winner-take-all Game 3 on Saturday.
Janelle Bachar shone with 25 points anchored on 20 attacks, three blocks, and two aces while Angel Habacon had 12 markers laced with 11 digs and 11 receptions as San Beda lived to fight another day.
"Buhay pa, buhay pa," San Beda head coach Kungfu Reyes quipped in an interview with GMA News Online.
"''Yung adjustment namin minimal lang e pero 'yung maniwala sila na kaya namin, ayun talaga eh. That's the number one thing na inayos namin this game."
After mixed results in the first two frames, San Beda surged to a huge 18-12 lead in Set 3 thanks to a smart drop ball from Habacon before the Lady Knights staged a furious rally behind sparkplug Nicen Colendra, whose three straight kills pulled Letran to within one, 19-20.
A Judiel Nitura and an attack error from Bachar allowed Letran to force a 23-all deadlock. However, Vanessa Sarie misfired her service and Sofia Dela Cruz denied Nitura from the opposite side to help San Beda seize a commanding 2-1 lead.
Colendra continued to spark Letran off the bench after knotting the game at 16-all before the Lady Knights grabbed a slim 17-16 cushion following a Kat Molina attack infraction.
But Molina atoned for that mishap and fueled a 5-1 rampage that saw the Meniolda crew taking a 21-18 lead.
Bachar then put together a pair of powerful kills, one of which sent San Beda to the match point at 24-20.
Lastlie Isar completed a quick play to ignite last-gasp Letran rally, but that was not enough as Bachar connived with Jermaine Joniega in denying the returning Gia Maquilang to close out the four-set romp.
With the loss, Letran now faces a must-win game three days from now to keep its title bid alive.
Nitura top-scored with 20 points while Sarie churned out 16 markers, nine digs, and 14 receptions.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
