San Beda belles ambush powerhouse Lady Stags

MANILA, Philippines - With an inspiring performance, San Beda College quickly erased its former tag as an also-ran, as it hacked out a 25-15, 25-19, 25-20 upset win over six-time champion San Sebastian College yesterday in the National Collegiate Athletic Association volleyball tournament at the San Beda Ggm in Mendiola, Manila.

 In clinching the win, the Lioness posted their first-ever victory over the powerhouse Lady Stags since joining the women’s volleyball competition in 2006.

 “Before this one, we have not won even a single set against them. We are overwhelmed by this win which I believed was a result of hard work,” said San Beda coach Ryan Jeorge Sucaldito.

The Lioness have lost seven straight games to the Lady Stags in their previous match-ups.

From a close 15-10 lead in the opening set, the Lioness pulled away to 23-12, behind a big run capped by a service ace by reigning best blocker Ces Molina and held on from there.

In the second set, the Lady Stags, who played minus key players Elaine Cruz, Bonsai Mirasol and Bamcie Belen who graduated last year, fought back and raced to  a 14-10 lead.

But they couldn’t hold on to the lead, as Janine Mariano racked up several hits to put San Beda on top for good, 24-18.

Smelling blood, the Lioness went for the kill in the third set.  But the Lady Stags fought valiantly behind reigning MVP Joy Benito to force a 12-12 deadlock.

But that proved to be the last stand by the Lady Stags, as the Lioness responded with 7-0 salvo for a 19-12 spread, highlighted by two service aces.

“Ces (Molina), Mik (Marciano) and Cherry (Quizon) have improved and our new setter has been dishing out good games,” Sucaldito added.

In the other women’s match, the Letran Lady Knights, last year’s runner-up, bucked a slow start to turn back upset-conscious  Lady Bombers, 20-25, 25-16, 25-11. 25-19.

In the men’s side, San Beda College made it a twinkill after the Red Lions outlasted the Stags, 25-18, 23-25, 25-10, 25-23.

The Staglets, meanwhile, squeezed past the Red Cubs, 25-19, 25-22, 25-17, in the lone juniors match.