JRU nears Final Four, goes on 15-0 run in 4th set to beat Lyceum

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Jose Rizal University secured at least a playoff for a Final Four spot after turning back also-ran Lyceum, 25-13, 25-23, 25-11, 25-12, in the NCAA Season 93 women’s volleyball tournament Tuesday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

The Lady Bombers are eyeing their first Final Four appearance since making their return in the tournament in 2008 and they will earn an outright berth if University of Perpetual Help knocks off College of St. Benilde in the second game.

“I’m very proud of my players. Of course, they worked really hard for us to make it to this point,” said JRU head coach Mia Tioseco in Filipino.

“Hopefully, we get into the Final Four. At least, we’re one foot in,” added Tioseco, who steered her team to a 6-3 record in the elimination round.

Shola Alvarez fired 23 points while Dolly Verzosa added 15 points for JRU, which scored 15 unanswered points to wipe out an 11-5 deficit in the fourth set.

“I just told them to stay focused and not repeat our mistakes in the second set where we were really careless,” said Alvarez in Filipino.

Three Lady Pirates finished in double-digit scoring with Christine Miralles and Monica Sevilla tallying 11 each while Elainr Juanillo chipped in 10.

Lyceum shot itself in the foot with 38 errors while JRU committed only 19.