MU MVT closes NCAA 100 campaign with final four finish

Article by: Crismhil S. Anselmo

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

Photo by: Jemuel N. Reyes

Over a decade since their last semifinals bout, a dubbed “rare” final four appearance, the Mapúa University Men’s Volleyball Team (MU MVT) stunned in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 100 Men’s Volleyball Tournament, gaining a twice-to-beat advantage after finishing the elimination rounds in second place—a historic feat for Mapúa’s centennial year and the league’s centennial season.

Closing the run with a final four finish, the Cardinals faced off with the Arellano University (AU) Chiefs and the De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde (CSB) Blazing Spikers in their semifinals and battle for bronze matches, respectively, last June at the Filoil EcoOil Centre, proudly raising the banner high for Mapúa with a spirited run.

Semifinals Game 1

There was no denying that the Chiefs were looking to extend the semifinals when they faced the MU MVT on June 3.

Middle blocker Alvin Macadangdang’s block point, team captain Barbie San Andres’ service ace, and outside hitter Arjay Ramos’ successful attack gave Mapúa an early cushion at3-1, but a plague of errors kept the scores painstakingly close. Following a remarkable 4-0 run by the home team, Arellano was left with no choice but to give up the set, 25-21.

The second frame proved how evenly matched the MU MVT and the Chiefs were, launching almost give-and-take rallies and lead exchanges throughout the frame. Despite leading in attacks 16 to 13, the crucial moments of back-to-back successful attacks at set point gave the Chiefs claim on the set, 23-25.

A regrouped Arellano team was determined to clip Mapúa’s wings in the third and fourth sets, dominating in attacks, blocks, aces, and capitalizing on errors. The opposing team’s 4-0 run in the fourth frame turned the Muralla squad’s attempts at a comeback a Sisyphean task, closing the last two sets, 17-25, 13-25.

With a four-set win, the Chiefs force a do-or-die Game 2 against Mapúa, 1-3.

Semifinals Do-or-Die Game 2

It was all or nothing when the MU MVT returned to the same court on June 6 after the AU Chiefs erased their twice-to-beat advantage.

Following an early point exchange in the opening frame, the white jerseys managed to sustain a two-point gap against the Intramuros squad. Falling behind in blocks, 1-6, the home team succumbed at 20-25. Entering the second set, the MU MVT tried to seize control of the match, but blunder-filled rallies left the red jerseys scrambling to recover. A deficit in both attacks and blocks forced the Cardinals to give up the set, 15-25.

Now one set away from a finals ticket, Arellano’s grit grounded  the Cardinals from soaring to the coveted championship slot. High on momentum, the point gap only continued to widen throughout the last frame in favor of the opposing team. While a 4-0 run from the Chiefs’ errors showed a flicker of hope for the red and gold squad, the white jerseys’ cushion ultimately ended Mapúa’s finals campaign, 15-25.

Battle for Bronze

Tied 1-1 at the close of the elimination rounds, top seeded CSB Blazing Spikers faced the MU MVT in a rematch forthe last podium spot in the NCAA 100 Men’s Volleyball on June 11 at the same venue.

In the opening set, Benilde’s relentless attacks dumped a healthy lead on the home team. Determined to bounce back, the MU MVT’s 3-0 run managed to tie the score at 13-all to level the playing field. The point exchange kept the scores close in the remainder the first frame with the Cardinals narrowly missing at 24-26.

After being edged off the first set claim, the Intramuros squad responded with a rain of attacks on their Taft competitors to chain them at the eight-point marker as they secured the set, 25-8. In the third frame, the point trade prelude concluded with a 0-3 run that gave Benilde eventual control. The Cards’ feisty plays attempted to reduce the gap but to no avail, closing the set at 20-25.

The determined Cardinals led the fourth set at inception, keeping the Blazers at bay with a three-point cushion. Mapúa resisted their opponents’ push to closethe margin, but after a 12-12 deadlock, a sneaky attack from the white jerseys took the lead from the home team.

A nail-biting exchange soon followed as the Intramuros squad sought to extend the match to a fifth set. However, a 0-3 run at the 22-point marker awarded Benilde the frame and the bronze, denying Mapúa a podium finish.

Season 100 Wrap-up

Throughout their campaign, several players were recognized for their remarkable presence and performance in the taraflex. Among them was Team Captain San Andres, who took home the 2nd Best Outside Spiker honors at the conclusion of the latest season of the NCAA Men’s Volleyball.  

Moreover, two of the MU MVT’s powerhouses, San Andres and veteran Open Spiker Ramos were among the elite NCAA Men’s Volleyball players recognized as Players of the Week by the Collegiate Press Corps.

With a final four finish up their sleeve, the MU MVT undeniably wrapped up a spirited NCAA Season 100 run, determined to come back and gun for the championship as they prepare for the season yet to come.