Published May 20, 2025 1:03pm
Updated May 20, 2025 1:03pm
San Beda University limited Jose Rizal University’s main offensive weapon en route to a 25-16, 25-23, 25-23, to keep its Final Four aspirations alive in the NCAA Season 100 men’s volleyball on Tuesday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
The Red Spikers held Harry Ocay, the Heavy Bombers’ leading scorer, to a scoreless outing to improve 9-7 while the latter slipped to a 3-13 win-loss card.
But even with the rookie Ocay struggling, the Heavy Bombers still braved through and gave San Beda a scare in the third set when Al-jecradin Unding and Jake Fernandez provided the spark as they took an 18-16 lead.
Axel Van Book, though, came alive in the clutch for San Beda after fueling a 5-1 rampage that sent the Red Spikers to a 21-19 cushion.
Ivan Datig then unleashed one from the left wing before a net error from Alener Munsing saw JRU knot the game at 21-all. But Munsing redeemed himself by unloading back-to-back quick attacks that allowed San Beda to secure a crucial 23-22 lead.
Book served up an ace, but muffed the next one as JRU saved one match point to remain alive, 24-23. Ralpha Cabalsa then finished it off for the Mendiola crew, completing a combination play as San Beda pulled off the sweep victory.
Book led the way with 15 points laced with 12 receptions while Anrie Bakil and Cabalsa chipped in 10 and eight markers apiece.
With Ocay having a rare scoreless performance, JRU leaned on Fernandez and Unding as the former finished with a team-high nine points while the latter posted eight markers off the bench.
San Beda will have to win its remaining two games against Emilio Aguinaldo College and University of Perpetual Help System DALTA to have a chance at booking a Final Four spot.
JRU, meanwhile, will still take on Perpetual and Colegio de San Juan de Letran before closing out its campaign.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
