MANILA – San Beda University Lady Red Spikers denied Arellano University Lady Chiefs an outright finals seat in NCAA Season 94 women’s volleyball after a 16-25, 25-17, 25-19, 18-25, 16-14 win on Tuesday at the San Juan Arena.
Maria Nieza Viray led the way with 17 points, including 16 attacks, to go along with 19 digs, while Franchesca Racraquin had triple-double 16 markers, 15 digs and 10 excellent receptions for the Lady Red Spikers.
With the victory, the Lady Red Spikers have forced a three-way tie for the no. 1 spot in the standings with 8-1 win-loss slate with College of St. Benilde Lady Blazers taking the top seed and Lady Chiefs and Lady Red Spikers at No. 2 and No. 3.
The Lady Chiefs and the Lady Red Spikers will figure in the semifinals on Tuesday with the former armed with twice-to-beat incentive, while the Lady Blazers still wait for its Final Four opponent.
“Malaki sa amin ito kasi pampa-boost din ng morale para sa mga bata. Nakita namin na ‘yung pinaghihirapan namin may resulta na maganda,” said Lady Red Spikers head coach Nemesio Gavino.
After splitting the first four sets, the Lady Red Spikers found themselves trailing 0-3 early in the fifth set but mounted a huge fight back to seize the advantage at 13-12 on a net touch by Lady Chiefs’ Regine Arocha.
After an exchange of points, the match was tied at 14-all before Lady Red Spikers’ Jeziela Viray scored on another kill block followed by an off-the-block hit by Nieza Viray to seal the win for the Lady Red Spikers.
Necole Ebuen top-scored with 23 markers, while Princess Bello and Arocha got 12 and 10, respectively, for the two-time defending champions Lady Chiefs./PN
