San Beda Lady Spikers Dump 6-time Champion Lady Stags

With an inspiring performance, San Beda College quickly erased its former tag as an also-ran, as it hacked out a 25-15, 25-19, 25-20 upset win over six-time champion San Sebastian College yesterday in the National Collegiate Athletic Association volleyball tournament at the San Beda Gym in Mendiola, Manila.

In clinching the win, the Lady Spikers posted their first-ever victory over the powerhouse Lady Stags since joining the women's volleyball competition in 2006.

“Before this one, hindi pa kami nananalo ng isang set sa kanila. Nakakagaan sa loob, na-overwhelm ako. Yung pinaghirapan ko sa training, sulit. Maganda naman ang resulta,” said San Beda coach Ryan Jeorge Sucaldito.

The San Beda Lady Spikers have lost seven straight games to the Lady Stags in their previous match-ups.

From a close 15-10 lead in the opening set, the Mendiola-based spikers pulled away to 23-12, behind a big run capped by a service ace by reigning best blocker Ces Molna en and held on from there.

In the second set, the Lady Stags, who played minus key players Elaine Cruz, Bonsai Mirasol and Bamcie Belen who graduated last year. fought back and raced to a 14-10 lead.

But they couldn’t hold on to the lead, as Janine Mariano racked up several hits to put San Beda on top for good, 24-18.

Smelling blood, the San Beda Lady Spikers went for the kill in the third set. But the Lady Stags fought valiantly vehind reigning MVP Joy Benito to force a 12-12 deadlock.

But that proved to be the last stand by the Lady Stags, as the spikers from Mendiola responded with 7-0 salvo for a 19-12 spread, highlighted by two service aces.

“Nag-improve sina Ces (Molina), Mik (Marciano) at Cherry (Quizon) at maganda ang inilaro ng bago naming setter (Debbie Dultra). May kumpiyansa na sila ngayon,” Sucaldito added.

In the men’s side, San Beda College made it a twinkill after the Red Spikers outlasted the Stags, 25-18, 23-25, 25-10, 25-23.

The Staglets, meanwhile, squeezed past the San Beda Junior Spikers, 25-19, 25-22, 25-17 in the lone juniors match.

source: NCAA Philippines