Mapua intensified its Final Four bid Sunday with a grueling 25-22, 16-25, 18-25, 25-18, 15-12 victory over Lyceum in NCAA women’s volleyball at the Paco Arena in Manila.
The Lady Cardinals came behind from a 2-1 set deficit to dictate the pace in the last two frames and clinch the crucial victory.
The win was Mapua’s fourth in seven outings, snapping their back-to-back losses against College of St. Benilde and San Beda while cementing its grip of the solo fourth spot.
Jonina Fernandez pumped in 14 kills for 15 points, while Nicole Ong added 14 points including a crosscourt attack that sealed the win for the Lady Cardinals.
An attack error from Ong trimmed Mapua’s lead to 13-12 in the fifth set before Therese Manalo fired an off-the-block spike and Ong made up for her error with a booming kill.
Manalo also spelled the difference for the Lady Cardinals with 14 points while Carla Gaudan chipped in 10 points.
Credit was also due to Trixie Gojol, who distributed the ball well with 20 excellent sets, and Wellmae Ortega, who had 27 digs.
Lyceum dropped to a 3-4 win-loss record to tie with Jose Rizal University at fifth to sixth places despite the explosive showing of Zonxi Dahab and Johna Dolorito, who finished with 22 and 17 points.