SBC notches 2nd volley win with romp over JRU

MANILA, Philippines - San Beda College continued its surprising run yesterday, fashioning out a 25-18, 25-15, 25-15 win over Jose Rizal University in the National Collegiate Athletic Association women’s volleyball tournament at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

 Banking on the steady plays of Janine Marciano and rookie Kim dela Vega, the Lionesses took off to a flying start en route to their second straight win in the tournament following their upset win over defending champion San Sebastian College last Wednesday.

The Lionesses are now tied for the lead with the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta Lady Altas, who also won two in a row.

“Pigil yung laro ng mga bata sa first set kaya sabi ko sa kanila huwag kayong madadala sa una nating panalo. Kailangang maging motivation natin ito to work harder,” said San Beda coach Ryan Jeorge Sucaldito.

The Lady Stags, meanwhile, bounced back from the loss to the Lionesses with a hard-earned five-setter against the Arellano University Lady Chiefs, 18-25, 18-25, 25-16, 25-18, 15-6.

The Lady Stags actually trailed by two sets, but woke up in time in the next set, before imposing their will on the Lady Chiefs in the last two sets for their first win in two games. The Lady Stags and the Lady Chiefs are now tied at 1-1.

With the Lady Stags courting defeat after two sets, San Sebastian coach Roger Gorayeb rallied his wards by reminding them of the Stags’ proud winning tradition in volleyball.

“Ang sabi ko sa kanila, kayo ang defending champion, kayo ang magpapanalo at kayo ang magpapatalo. Let that idea na yun ang magbitbit sa inyo pataas. Dapat may pride kayo at proud kayo sa team,”  Gorayeb said.

The Lady Bombers, meanwhile, absorbed their second straight loss and dropped into a tie with the Mapua Lady Cardinals at the bottom of the standings.

In the men’s side,  the Chiefs easily disposed of the Stags, 25-16, 25-21, 25-12, to gain a share of the lead with the Altas on similar 2-0 cards.

The Staglets, though, scraped past the Baby Chiefs, 25-20, 25-20, 17-25, 21-25, 15-6, in the juniors side also move into a tie with the Junior Altas at two wins apiece for the lead.