Lady Generals, finally, snap 16-game skid; ‘Lyce’ gals win

LYCEUM of the Philippines University got back on the winning track by beating Mapua University, 25-21, 25-11, 25-16, as Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) snapped a winless run that spanned two years on Thursday in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 95 women’s volleyball tournament on Thursday at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan. The Lady Pirates improved to a 3-4 won-lost card, and they would need to beat the San Sebastian College Lady Stags (1-6) and San Beda University Red Lioness (4-2) to stay in strong contention for the No. 4 spot in the semifinals. Three players finished in double figures for the Lady Pirates with Ciamelle Wanta leading her team with 12 points and 10 excellent digs; Alexandra Rafael adding 11 points and 10 excellent digs; and Monica Sevilla chipping in 11 points.

Venice Puzon contributed nine excellent digs and seven excellent receptions.

“We’re really just chasing [for the playoffs],” Lady Pirates Coach Emilio Lontoc said. “We lost games in four and five sets that we should’ve won.”

“My team can really win against any team. My expectation with them is also high that they can win against any team. But my team’s maturity still needs improvement,” he added. Alissa Magallanes had six points and two aces for the Lady Cardinals, who fell to their fifth straight loss. Lorainne Barias added three points, three aces, eight excellent digs and three excellent receptions.

The day’s biggest winner, however, was EAC, which snapped its 16-game skid since Season 94. Catherine Almazan posted a 30-point game to help the Lady Generals squeeze out a five-setter over the Lady Stags, 25-21, 23-25, 22-25, 25-18, 15-8.

Almazan led the rookie-laden Lady Generals with 12 excellent digs, and four excellent receptions, while Krizzia Reyes added 13 points and Dhariane Gallardez chipped in 14 points.

“We prepared so hard for this,” said Almazan, a sophomore but one of the two oldest players on the team. “We said that we will not accept a winless season.” Jamille Carreon paced the Lady Stags’ with 19 points, while Kamille Tan had 11 and Shannai Requierme had 12 points with 14 excellent digs. Alexia Sison assisted with 12 excellent sets, and Jewelle Bermillo made 19 excellent sets and 10 excellent receptions.

Mapua, EAC and San Sebastian now share the cellar with 1-6 cards. Mapua, meanwhile, swept Lyceum, 27-25, 25-18, 25-18, to notch its fourth straight win after a 0-3 start in the men’s tournament. Alfredi Pagulong, John San Andres, and Raje Hizon had 12 points each for the Cardinals. Karl Tabios made 14 excellent sets and John Evan Silva delivered nine excellent sets for Mapua, now 4-3.

Juvic Conoia finished 11 points, Kier Tibayan added nine, Joshue Velasco had six and Deon Colorado 19 excellent receptions for the Pirates.