Gritty Lady Red Spikers climb out of two-set hole, frustrate Lady Pirates

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net (FILE)

San Beda brushed off a two-set disadvantage and raced back to deny Lyceum an upset victory, 22-25, 19-25, 25-11, 25-17, 15-7, in the NCAA Season 93 women’s volleyball tournament Wednesday at Filoil Flying V Centre.

The Lady Red Spikers improved to 6-0 and tied defending champion Arellano University at first place while sending the Lady Pirates to a miserable 1-5 card.

San Beda head coach Nemesio Gavino admitted his team looked sluggish in the first two sets but a reality check allowed them to stop Lyceum’s onslaught.

“First off, we fixed whatever we did on the floor because we really looked slow, and we had to be aggressive,” said Gavino in Filipino. “There wasn’t much adjusting when it came to skills, because I already knew what they were capable of, they just had to wake up after the first two sets.”

Jose Rizal University stopped College of St. Benilde in straight sets, 25-21, 25-22, 25-21, in the first game.

The Lady Bombers improved to 3-3 and tied the Lady Blazers at fifth spot.

Shola Alvarez paced JRU’s offense with 21 points while Dolly Verzosa added 16.

San Beda revved up the attack in the fifth set, scoring on six straight points to take an 11-5 lead after Nieza Viray scored off the Lady Pirates’ blockade.

The Lady Red Spikers got into the 14-7 match point after Lyceum captain Bien Juanillo’s attempt went long before Cesca Raqraquin finished it off with a well-placed kill.

Raqraquin led San Beda with a game-high 26 points while Viray added 13.

Monica Sevilla had 13 points to lead Lyceum while Christine Miralles and Juanillo added 11 and 10 points, respectively.