MANILA – Negrense Sophie Cagalawan’s career game helped San Beda University Lady Red Spikers score a 17-25, 25-20, 22-25, 25-17, 15-5 victory against Jose Rizal University Lady Bombers in the NCAA Season 99 women’s volleyball on Wednesday at Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The rookie volleybelle finished with a career-high of 20 attacks to go with seven excellent receptions and five excellent digs as the Lady Red Spikers scored back-to-back wins for a 3-4 win-loss slate.
“Sa totoo lang, hindi ko po in-expect na ganun ang laro ko kanina. Binigay ko lang po ‘yung best ko and nag-stick lang po ako sa system ni coach (Edgar Barroga),” said Cagalawan.
“Hindi ko naman po makukuha ‘yung ganitong score ko po kung hindi dahil sa teammates ko po,” she added. “As a rookie po, pinupunan ko po ‘yung mga kulang sa team and wino-work ko ‘yung mga lapses ko.”
The Lady Red Spikers regained their offense in the fourth set as they broke a 16-all deadlock with a massive 10-1 scoring run capped by an Angel Habacon attack to force a deciding set.
San Beda took advantage of a depleted JRU lineup in the fifth frame as Cagalawan unloaded back-to-back hits to give them a 8-3 lead before Habacon widened it further to 12-4 and never looked back.
Habacon, for her part, also had a career game, finishing with 36 points anchored on 31 attacks and five service aces to tie the all-time NCAA scoring record of former San Sebastian College Lady Stags star Grethcel Soltones.
“Hindi lang kami sumuko, hangga’t sa may nag iingay (sa amin inside the court), mananalo kami. There’s teamwork, bravery, courage, and wisdom,” said Habacon, who also had 12 excellent digs and eight excellent receptions.
“Naglaro kami na gamit ang utak namin kasi ‘yung depensa ng JRU malakas talaga kaya kailangan naming utakan ‘yung paglalaro namin,” she added. “My teammates are capable naman kailangan lang na may gigising sa kanila.”
Kayla Jasareno led the Lady Bombers with 15 points while Cherish Dayame and Gayle Batara poured in 13 markers apiece. They bowed out of Final Four contention with their 1-6 record./PN
