Lady Cards end first round with seven-game win streak

Article by:  Shaina Camille F. Macaranas and Lorrieza Jhoilyn C. Punzalan

Graphics by: Albert Dylan D. David and Crismhil S. Anselmo

Photo by: Marcus D. Agustin

Ending their opening salvo with a seven-game winning streak, the Mapúa Lady Cardinals soared high at the Women’s Division of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 100 Volleyball Tournament, cementing a fourth place standing in the round one eliminations with a 7-2 win-loss stint. The matches ran from February 20 to April 11 held at the NCAA school gymnasiums.

Finding footing in a strong third set and a 16-point effort from veteran middle blocker Alyanna Nicole Ong, the Intramuros-based squad opened their campaign with a tough loss to the San Sebastian College-Recoletos (SSC-R) Lady Stags at the latter’s home court on February 21, dropping the match in four sets, 18-25, 19-25, 25-20, 21-25.

In hopes of jumping into the winning column, the red and gold jerseys battled it out with neighbor and eventual top seed Colegio de San Juan de Letran Lady Knights in their second match at the Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) Gym on February 27. However, after a close second-set win, 34-32, the Cardinals struggled to maintain momentum, ultimately falling in four sets, 21-25, 34-32, 11-25, 21-25. Outside hitter Freighanne Garcia led the team with a 14-point outing

Regrouped and refreshed, the Lady Cardinals sought redemption when they faced the LPU Lady Pirates in a grueling five-set match at the latter’s home court on March 7. They opened strongly with a first-set win, but the Pirates bounced back to take the next two. Refusing to back down, the red and gold squad fought through multiple deuces to clinch a hard-earned victory, 25-19, 18-25, 21-25, 25-20, 16-14, to grab their maiden win. Garcia earned her first key performance nod of the season with 14 points all powered from attacks alongside 17 excellent digs and nine excellent receptions.

Flying high from their previous win, the Lady Cardinals soared to fight against the Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) Lady Generals, strategizing their gameplay with a focus for victory at the Arellano University (AU) Gym on March 13. The Intramuros-based squad won the intense first two sets, 27-25, 25-21, but was overpowered for the next two sets, 22-25, 19- 25, leading to a crucial fifth set win, 15-10. Undeterred, the Lady Cardinals marched on as they claim another win to improve at 2-2. Sophomore menace Raissa Ricablanca earned her first title of the key performer after pouring 20 points all built from attacks.

In a four-set skirmish against the AU Lady Chiefs in their own homecourt on March 15, the Lady Cardinals dropped the opening set, 14-25, but quickly regained momentum, dominating the next three, 25-23, 25-17, 25-22. Ong showed up for the red and gold squad with 19 points powered from a near double-double with 11 attacks and eight blocks to earn her first key performance recognition. Garcia closely followed with 18 all anchored on attacks. Their combined efforts sealed the victory and boosted the Lady Cardinals’ record to 3-2 to ignite a win streak.

Now boasting three victories up their sleeves, the Intramuros squad faced the Jose Rizal University (JRU) Lady Bombers in their home court on March 21, securing their first sweep of the season, 25-21, 25-22, 25-15. Ricablanca led the defuse with 19 points, earning her second key performance award, while Garcia and Ong chipped in 11 points each. The game ended with a 3-0, leaving the opposing team no windows for a possible win, raising their standing to 4-2.

Riding the momentum from their sweep, the Lady Cardinals faced the SBU Lady Red Spikers with confidence at the EAC Gym on March 29, coming out firing, quickly taking the first two sets, dropped the third, but bounced back to claim the fourth and seal a fifth-straight win, 25-18, 25-22, 23-25, 25-11. Ricablanca delivered another stellar performance with 19 points powered by 16 attacks and three block points to earn her third key performance plum, while Garcia contributed 16 in the match.

The Lady Cardinals went head-to-head with the three-time defending champions, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (CSB) Lady Blazers, in a thrilling showdown at the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA (UPHSD) Gymnasium on April 3. The red and gold immediately led the first set, 25-20, to take control of the match. However, their formidable opponent showed their fire to take the second set by storm, 25-11. Regaining their footing, the home team showed resilience as they clinched a hard-fought 27-25 third set, carrying the momentum to take the fourth, 25-21 to secure a statement win over the reigning champs. Ong pitched in 14 points powered by 12 attacks and two blocks to grab her second key performance nod and veteran outside hitter Nadine Berces contributed 10 points in the red and gold squad’s first win over the Taft foes in three seasons.

Facing another powerhouse in the form of the the UPHSD Lady Altas, the Intramuros squad came out strong at their opponents’ home court in their match on April 5, taking the first two sets in the four-set clash. Though Perpetual managed to steal the third, the Lady Cardinals held firm in their grip on the fourth set to seal their seventh consecutive win, 25-20, 25-23, 23- 25, 25-17, and improved their standing to 7-2. Ricablanca earned her fourth key performance plum after leading the charge with 17 points. Garcia added 14 points while Berces poured 12.

When asked how back-to-back wins over league-leading Lady Blazers and Lady Altas influenced the team, Team Captain Therese Angeli Manalo shared,

“Siyempre, beating the top team, sobrang grateful po kami. Masasabi po talaga namin na sobrang laking confidence boost nun sa team namin.”

Manalo further said that these wins against the top teams should not keep the team complacent, anticipating vengeful matches against the other teams in the league.

“… ang mindset lang namin talaga ngayon […] iangat pa ‘yung ginagalaw namin para magtuloy-tuloy din po 'yung winning streak namin.”

Wrapping their centennial season round 1 campaign with an impressive 7-2 record— built from a dominant sweep, four 3-1 victories, two five-set thrillers, and two 1-3 losses— across nine games, the Lady Cardinals are poised to bounce back from being short of a final four bout in Season 99.

When asked what changed in the team’s preparations for this season, the team captain shared, “…kumbaga may pinaghuhugutan po kami sa pagkasala namin from last season […] mas nagfocus po kami more on sa conditioning ng team.” Continuing, she stated that the teams worked on their chemistry on the court both as individuals and as a team.

“…nag-back-to-basics po talaga kami and tinignan namin kung ano pa po ‘yung pwedeng i-improve sa galaw namin.”

Despite losing a key player in Roxie Dela Cruz last June 2024, Manalo shared that while the team had to allot time to adjust, the Lady Cardinals were able to regroup following their teammate’s departure. “…yung mga naiwan eh willing naman din po mag-step up sa amin…nakita ko naman sa kanila na pinunan nila yung pwestong naiwan ni Roxie,” she remarked.

Capping off their strong first round campaign, Ong was honored the Player of the Week award by the Collegiate Press Corps, marking the first for the Lady Cardinals this season. In their recognition post, the Corps stated Ong’s pivotal role in securing back-to-back wins that helped anchor the Mapúa’s rise in the standings. Thanks to her leadership and performance, Mapúa University joined the top-tier ranks alongside the CSJL Lady Knights, CSB Lady Blazers, and UPHSD Lady Altas at the close of the first elimination round.

The Lady Cardinals are now looking ahead to the second round tomorrow, April 23 until May 28. Fans can catch all the action through livestreams on the official NCAA and GMA Sports PH Facebook and YouTube pages, in addition to the games being played on-site at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.