NCAA Volleyball: EAC winless no more, stops Mapua

Emilio Aguinaldo College finally bagged its first win in the NCAA Season 93 women’s volleyball tournament after overcoming Mapua in five sets, 25-23, 22-25, 22-25, 25-23, 15-12, Thursday at Filoil Flying V Centre.

The win ended the Lady Generals’ five-game losing streak to get to 1-5 while the Lady Cardinals remained winless at lowly 0-6.

Lady Generals head coach Rodrigo Palmero was proud with the resiliency his team showed especially coming off three straight five-setters.

“I can see that there are still some positives in this group,” said Palmero, who also coached the Season 91 men’s champion, in Filipino. “I know these girls are not yet on the top level in terms of skills but I can see that they’re improving.”

“And we’re very happy that after all those five-set games that we were finally able to get a win, it’s like a heavy feeling was lifted off of us.”

Although EAC had a slight disadvantage in spikes, 51-47, the Lady Generals enjoyed 49 free points from Mapua’s errors, none bigger than Patria Pena’s last hit went wide.

Ladeisheen Magbanua had a team-high 17 points to lead EAC while Aira Binondo added 16 points.

Jaylene Lumbo and Yvette Tongco also finished in double figures for the Lady Generals with 15 and 13 points, respectively.

Pena led Mapua with 20 points while Angeline Mangundayao added 10.