MAPUA handed defending champion College of Saint Benilde its second loss in the NCAA women’s volleyball tournament with a 25-20, 11-25, 27-25, 25-21 victory yesterday at UPHSD Gym.

Nicole Ong led the way for the Lady Cardinals with a team-high 14 points on 12 attacks and two blocks.

It was Mapua’s sixth straight win after opening the season at 0-2 as its tries to make a return trip to the Final Four after missing the bus last year.

Nadine Berces added 10 points, 18 digs and nine receptions while Gem Gavica had 20 out of the Lady Cardinals’ 22 excellent sets.

Later, University of Perpetual Help System Dalta outlasted Letran, 23-25, 25-23, 14-25, 25-22, 15-13, to regain the solo lead with a 7-1 record.

Clydel Catarig had 17 points, while Mycah Go added 16 points as the Lady Blazers closed out the first round with a 7-2 slate.

Winnie Bedaña was sensational with 18 points, including four blocks, to help the Lady Altas regain their winning ways. Perpetual was coming off a straight-set loss to Benilde that ended a six-match perfect run, the Las Piñas-based squad’s finest start since 2012.

The Lady Knights dropped to 6-2 in third place.

In a battle of undefeated men’s teams, Mapua improved to 8-0 while handing Benilde its first loss with a 25-17, 21-25, 28-26, 26-24 victory.

Barbie San Andres took over for the Cardinals, who are a win away from sweeping the first round, with a match-high 27 points on 21 attacks, four service aces and two blocks, outdueling the Blazers’ top scorer Rocky Motol.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Theodore P. Jurado