Lady Cards clinch fourth seed to advance to semis

Article by: John Marvin A. Corsino and Lorrieza Jhoilyn C. Punzalan

Graphics by: Albert Dylan D. David and Sean Carlo O. Samonte

Photo by: Jemuel N. Reyes

After two intense elimination rounds in the National College Athletics Association (NCAA) Season 100 Women’s Volleyball Tournament, the Mapúa Lady Cardinals finished at the fourth spot, successfully securing a ticket to the semifinals with a solid record of 11 wins and seven losses.

Fresh off a seven-game winning streak in the previous round, the Lady Cardinals were warming up to find their footing in their match against the Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) Lady Generals. In search of their Round 1 rhythm, the home team succumbed to an 18-25, 15-25, 15-25 loss against their opponents last April 23. However futile, Raissa Ricablanca led the team’s attempts to reestablish their momentum with 11 points, closely backed by outside hitter Freighanne Garcia’s eight.

Putting up much more of a fight, the Lady Cards then battled the Arellano University (AU) Lady Chiefs in a toe-to-toe match on April 27. Freighanne Garcia and Ricablanca led the ladies’ onslaught of attacks, garnering 21 points and 20 points, respectively, in the formidable matchup that led to a fiery set exchange, 28-26, 14-25, 25-22, 23-25. Forcing a do-or-die fifth frame, the Lady Chiefs were able to escape the home team, 10-15, garnering the red and gold squad their second loss and fourth overall in the season.

In yet another five-set thriller on April 29, the Lady Cardinals came painstakingly close in achieving their first Round 2 win in their third match. With their red and gold hulls punctured by the Lyceum of the Philippines University Lady Pirates early on in the game, 16-25, 15-25, the team attempted to swerve to victory in the succeeding sets, 29-27, 25-23, before sinking from an elusive win, 10-15, in the fifth frame. Garcia, along with Nadine Berces and Alyana Ong, went all out on the top deck, chucking in 16, 15, and 15 points, respectively, to no avail.

Repivoting from their three-game stumble, the Muralla squad finally found their groove, flying through the defenses set by the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Lady Altas, landing on a perfect win, 25-17, 25-23, 25-19, on May 2. Piloting the red and gold team’s flight, Garcia once again proved her prowess with 17 points from 15 spikes, with Ricablanca as her co-pilot with 14 points from 11 attacks, two blocks, and a service ace.

The win was met with a heavy atmosphere after Berces tapped out of the last frame following a bad landing. Due to a torn ACL injury acquired from the match, the veteran outside hitter will be sitting the rest of the season out to recover.

Emboldened to give more to the season for their comrade, the red and gold ladies did not let go of their battle mojo, mopping the floor with another clean sweep, 25-18, 25-18, 25-23, blasting through the San Beda University Lady Red Spikers in their fifth match last May 4. The big Beda beatdown features Garcia’s fourth key performance this season, landing 12 points from 10 spikes, one block, and a service ace along with eight excellent digs. Supporting the outside hitter is Gregchelle Cabadin, with her own 11 points from 10 attacks and a service ace.

Keeping up the relentless chase of wins, the team quickly neutralized the Jose Rizal University Lady Bombers’ spark in one speedy match, 25-17, 25-20, 25-22, at the EAC Gym on May 17. Garcia, once again leading the fray, bagged 16 points for the team with 15 spikes and an ace, Cabadin following closely behind, pouring her own 12 points from 11 spikes and a service ace.

Showcasing yet another showstopping performance, the red and gold troop opted for a fourth sweep in a row, toppling the San Sebastian College - Recoletos Lady Stags clean, 25-16, 25-16, 25-21, in their seventh game on May 20. To no surprise, Garcia once again heads the onslaught of attacks, scoring 21 points with 17 spikes, two blocks, and two perfect services. Ricablanca’s own might and her fiery presence, shown through 14 points all from spikes, earns her Player of the Game for this match.

Seeking to extend their win streak up to end of the elimination round, the red and gold team faced a Taft battle in the De La Salle - College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Lady Blazers but fell behind early on in the match. Ultimately, the Lady Cardinals saw their streak end in a sweep from the Blazers, 12-25, 19-25, 24-26. Despite this hiccup, Ricablanca headed the team with 11 points from ten attacks, one block and ten excellent digs. Garcia continued to support from behind with 9 points and 14 sharp digs.

In their final game, the Lady Cardinals tried to cap off Round 2 on a high note but their flight was cut short by the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Lady Knights. Despite kicking off with a strong start, 36-34, in their longest set played in the season, the Cardinal ladies faltered in the succeeding sets, 18-25, 17-25, 22-25. Ricablanca once again showed her strength under pressure with 18 points from 17 spikes, followed closely by Ong with 15 points from 14 attacks.

Achieving an 11-7 standing, the Mapúa Lady Cardinals have secured their spot in the semifinals as the fourth seed, marking a momentous return at the final four after falling short last season. Muralla’s pride is facing tough odds as they go up against the twice-to-beat DLS-CSB Lady Blazers in their first semis match tomorrow, June 1, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre, as they seek to book a slot in the season finale with a fairytale run.