Lyceum University of the Philippines (LPU) is off to a hot start in the NCAA Season 99 womens’ volleyball after notching their second straight victory against the San Sebastian College-Recoletos (SSC-R).

Joan Doguna and Jaja Tulang combined forces to finish the Lady Stags in four sets, 25-18, 25-22, 21-25, 25-23.

The Lady Pirates were on their way to sweep the Lady Stags before the latter snatched the third set.

LPU opened the third set with a 7-3 run before San Sebastian was able to rally back.

Tina Marasigan ended a long rally to send the Lady Stags to a set point.

LPU coach Cromwel Garcia then called a timeout to stop San Sebastian’s momentum but Doguna’s spike was too strong and hit out of bounds.

“Sabi ni Coach Cromwel [Garcia], masyado kaming nag-relax… masyado lang kaming naging kampante sa laro,” Doguna told GMA Regional TV News.

In the fourth frame, San Sebastian managed to regain the lead, 21-20, courtesy of Kath Santos' drop before Johna Dolorito made her own attack to even the scoreline.

Santos’ error and Tulang’s block in the following positions put the Lady Pirates in the driver’s seat with a two-point cushion.

Doguna and Dolorito’s back-to-back errors made it a single-point game with LPU still protecting a slim lead, 24-23.

Doguna, a sophomore outside hitter from Bacolod, delivered the game-winning kill between the block of KJ Dionisio and Amaka Tan.

According to Garcia, their win against San Sebastian, after losing the third set, is a character development moment for the players.

“Along the way, matututunan naman nila na habang tumatagal, lalo silang tumitigas sa paglalaro… yung nangyari kanina, third set and fourth set, wala naman akong masyadong iniisip kasi yung full trust ko nasa mga players ko,” Garcia said during the post-match interview.

Doguna led LPU with 20 points while Dolorito and Tulang chipped in 15 and 12, respectively. Meanwhile, Santos scored 19 points for San Sebastian.