Kath Santos’ timely return guided San Sebastian College-Recoletos in pulling off a 25-20, 25-21, 20-25, 25-21 win over Mapua University in NCAA Season 101 women’s volleyball on Saturday at the San Andres Sports Complex in Manila.
The veteran outside spiker came back after a one-game absence during their four-set romp of Jose Rizal University last Wednesday and helped the Lady Stage repeat the magic over the Lady Cardinals.
San Sebastian cruised to its third win in a row to improve to 5-6 in Group A while Mapua dropped to 4-6.
Santos poured in an all-around outing of 18 points laced with 11 digs and six receptions while Juna May Gonzales detonated for 26 markers as San Sebastian spoiled a late Set 4 rally from the Lady Cardinals.
Santos unleashed back-to-back kills that sent San Sebastian to a 20-12 cushion in the fourth frame before a Mapua attack error saw the Lady Stags seize a 22-15 lead.
However, the Lady Cardinals retaliated as Raissa Ricablanca unloaded back-to-back kills to spark the rally and pull them within three, 20-23.
Princess Ramos, though, ended a long back-and-forth rally to clinch the match point before Ricablanca responded with another kill from the pipe.
But Gonzales extinguished the fiery Mapua comeback by burying from the left side, which was initially ruled out of bounds but ultimately counted after a successful challenge review.
Ricablanca finished with 16 points just days after exploding for 37 points in a reverse sweep act against Arellano University.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
