Mapua University gave its campaign a huge boost after blanking San Sebastian College-Recoletos, 25-22, 25-23, 25-19, in NCAA Season 101 men's volleyball on Saturday at the San Andres Sports Complex.
The Cardinals, who encountered a shaky start after losing five of their last eight outings, have now improved to 5-5 in Group A while sending the Stags to 5-6.
The win could be crucial for the Cardinals as it allowed them to take solo third spot as San Sebastian fell to fourth spot with only a few games left in the group stage.
The top three teams from each group will earn an outright quarterfinals spot while the bottom two squads will still battle it out in the play-in stage.
Arjay Ramos continued to find his old form, dropping 17 points built on 13 attacks and four blocks while the tandem of Barbie San Andres and Olsen Jamisola pumped in 13 and 12 markers apiece.
Mapua pulled away momentarily in the third frame with Ramos turning a slim 11-10 lead to a huge 21-17 cushion with an off-speed kill from the left side.
He then soared from the back and sent a hammer that made it a comfortable five-point advantage for the Cardinals. But the Stags, who were coming off twin victories over defending champion Arellano University and youthful Jose Rizal University, tried to fight back behind a Rhenmart Alba quick kill.
Still, Mapua had every answer down the stretch with middle blockers Adrian Musni and Alvin Macadangdang providing the last two points to close it out.
Kyle Villamor did it all for San Sebastian in the loss with 17 points, 16 receptions, and four digs while Sarif Galindo chipped in nine markers.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
