Mapua blasts San Beda in straight sets to remain in Final Four race

Games on Monday
(Filoil EcoOil Arena)
8 a.m. – SSC-R vs Letran (M)
11 a.m. – SSC-R vs Letran (W)
2:30 p.m. – CSB vs AU (W)
5 p.m. – CSB vs AU (M)

MAPUA University overcame a serious third-set challenge put up by San Beda University in pulling off a 25-18, 25-18, 25-23 victory on Sunday that kept the former inside the magic four of the NCAA Season 100 women’s volleyball Final Four race at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.

Freighanne Garcia paced her team with 12 points, including some key hits in the third set when the Lady Cardinals fended off a late challenge by the Lady Red Spikers.

Gregchelle Cabadin and Raissa Janel Ricablanca likewise came through and chipped in 11 and 10 hits, respectively.

It was a much-needed triumph for Mapua as it snapped out of a three-game stupor that sent it stumbling outside the helm where it once occupied alongside the big guns after the first round of eliminations.

And now the Lady Cardinals are back in their winning ways.

In men’s play earlier, San Beda pulled the rug from under leader Mapua with a 13-25, 25-20, 25-16, 25-20 shocker and bolstered the former’s Final Four bid.

The Red Spikers improved to 7-6 while the Cardinals stumbled to 12-2 but still remained at the helm. — Joey Villar