Lady Generals finally end slump after gutting out a victory over Lady Cardinals

Photo by Tristan Tamayo / INQUIRER.net

How does a team end a winless run? Run down a squad that also has yet to make it to the win column.

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

The win allowed the Lady Generals to chalk up a first win in six outings while stretching the Lady Cardinals’ woes to 0-6.

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

“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 in 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 losses 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 and none bigger than the final one when Patria Peña’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.