MAPUA overcame a feisty San Beda, 25-21, 26-24, 22-25, 25-13, on Tuesday to stay in semifinal contention in NCAA Season 99 women’s volleyball at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.
Newbie Raissa Ricablanca and the battle-scarred Nicole Ong dealt the mightiest of blows as they fired 22 and 17 points, respectively, to power the Lady Cardinals to a 6-3 record.
The much-needed result put Mapua momentarily tied for No. 3 with Lyceum of the Philippines U, last year’s losing finalist, behind College of St. Benilde (9-0) and Letran (6-2).
The three-peat-seeking Lady Blazers have swept their way to the best-of-three finals with nine wins while the Lady Knights and the Lady Pirates have already booked outright berths to the stepladder semis.
Had Mapua won via straight sets, it would have also sealed it an automatic ticket to the playoff phase.
Instead, the Lady Cardinals await their fate as they’re battling for the fourth and last semis spot with the Arellano U Lady Chiefs (5-3), who were tackling the Jose Rizal University Lady Bombers at press time.
If AU wins via straight sets, it would claim the last spot while if it lost just one set, that slot would go to Mapua.
The Lady Red Spikers closed out their campaign with a 3-6 slate.
Games Wednesday
(Filoil EcoOil Arena)
10 a.m.- Letran vs SSC-R (men)
2 p.m.- Letran vs SSC-R (women)