Lady Patriots, Mariners top foes in ‘NCR’ volley openers

MANILA, Philippines - La Salle-Dasmarinas and Philippine Merchant Marine School hacked out a pair of tough victories to kick off their respective title drives in the 21st National Capital Region Athletic Association (NCRAA) women’s volleyball tournament at the PMMS gym in Las Piñas.

The Lady Patriots, who are now handled by new coach Raymund Ramirez, turned back the Rizal Technological University side, 27-25, 13-25, 25-19, 25-23, while the Lady Mariners bounced back from a two-set deficit to repulse the Emilio Aguinaldo College-Cavite Lady Vanguards, 19-25, 23-25, 25-21, 25-22, 15-12.

With RTU threatening at 14-15 in the fourth, the Lady Patriots scored five points on Mariel Desengano’s serves newcomer Sigrid Abalos also came through with two big serves as La Salle-Dasma fended off a late RTU rally in the event backed by Mikasa and Molten balls.

Meanwhile, the Lady Mariners struggled in the early going, enabling the Lady Vanguards to sweep the first two sets mostly behind the defensive efforts of Marianne Villanueva and Christine Suyao.

But rookie Nao Segawa took over for PMMS with her well-placed kills and drop shots as the Lady Mariners recovered in the third and sustained their momentum to complete the come-from-behind victory.