JANINE Marciano made her presence felt in the crucial stretch as San Beda College halted a two-game losing skid with a close 25-22, 22-25, 25-22, 25-23 win over Letran Monday in the NCAA women’s volleyball tournament at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Lady Knights skipper Lalaine Villarin failed to receive Marciano’s overset play, allowing the Lioness to claim the matchpoint.
San Beda moved to a tie with Letran and idle Arellano University in third place at 3-2 and more importantly, revitalize its bid for a second straight semifinals stint.
“Sinabi ko sa mga bata na hindi dapat tayong ma-down dahil lang doon sa dalawang talo natin. Ibalik natin yung focus sa paglalaro,” said Lioness coach Ryan Jorge Sucaldito.
After an impressive 2-0 start, San Beda bowed to Emilio Aguinaldo College and College of Saint Benilde.
The Lady Knights tied the count at 22-22 with a down the line hit by Manel Carolino when Marciano countered back with a crosscourt hit for a 23-22 Lioness lead.
San Beda rebounded from a rotational fault which forced the match’s last deadlock, 23-23, with Marciano scoring another kill for the Lioness to match point.
Letran last led at 20-19 after a Kamille Ogana block when Mona Diolazo and Cherry Quizon combined forces for San Beda to regain the upper hand at 22-21.
With the victory, the Lioness have already beaten last season’s finalists the Lady Knights and reigning six-time champion San Sebastian College.
In the other women’s match, Jose Rizal University barged into the win column with a 25-14, 25-10, 25-18 decision of Mapua.
At 1-4, the Lady Bombers are now tied with the Lady Blazers in eighth place, while the Lady Cardinals remained winless in five starts. (TJ)
