MANILA – San Beda University Lady Red Spikers avoided a meltdown as it defeated San Sebastian College Lady Stags, 25-17, 25-23, 22-25, 21-25, 15-10, in the NCAA Season 99 women’s volleyball on Sunday at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan.
Angel Habacon finished with 25 points on 20 attacks, three blocks, and two service aces to be named Player of the Game as the Lady Red Spikers improved to a 1-2 win-loss slate.
“Si Angel talaga ang pinakamatapang sa kanilang lahat,” said Lady Red Spikers head coach Edgar Barroga. “Kapag siya talaga ang nagdadala sa teammates niya, buhay ang team.”
With the Lady Stags threatening at 10-13, Habacon unloaded a powerful hit to send the Lady Red Spikers to match point before she followed it up with another attack point to secure the victory.
Barroga, a first-year Lady Red Spikers mentor, added that he has tense moments after his team squandered a two-set advantage before they pulled off the win in the decider, courtesy of Habacon.
“Medyo kinabahan ako kasi up kami ng two sets, then biglang humabol (ang Lady Stags),” Barroga said. “Sinabihan ko na lang ‘yung mga bata (nung fifth set) na kung sino ang pinakamatapang, siya ang mananalo.”
Klein Abraham also made her presence felt for the Lady Red Spikers with 14 points, Erin Navarro finished with nine markers, and Negrense Sophie Cagalawan contributed seven points.
Meanwhile, defending champions the College of St. Benilde Lady Blazers stayed perfect after three games following a 25-13, 25-12, and 25-20 crushing of the Jose Rizal University Lady Bombers (1-2).
Zamantha Nolasco was hailed Player of the Game with seven points, built on five attacks, one block, and a service ace, for the Lady Blazers, which are on a 32-game winning streak.
“We try not to mind those; we don’t even count,” Lady Blazers head coach Jerry Yee said on their winning streak. “Kulang pa sa execution, dami pa kulang, dami pa aayusin. Hopefully, maayos naman.”/PN
