Lady Bombers stun Stags

MANILA, Philippines — Jose Rizal U blew a two-set lead but toughened up in the crunch as it hacked out a 27-25, 25-23, 22-25, 16-25, 15-12 thriller over fancied San Sebastian in the 93rd NCAA women’s volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan yesterday.

Premier Volleyball League veteran Shola Alvarez pumped in a career-high 28 hits, including 24 attack points and four on blocks, while rookie sensation Dolly Grace Verzosa came up with 15 markers as the Lady Bombers bounced back from a setback, also via five-setter, to the San Beda Red Spikers last Friday.

It was JRU’s first ever victory over San Sebastian in decades.

“In my time as a coach, we have never won a game against them and I’m happy that we did today (yesterday),” said JRU coach Mia Tioseco.

Alvarez, meanwhile, wants to help the team finally reach the Final Four before she graduates.

“In my five years with the school, we’ve never made it to the Final Four. I hope we would this season,” said the 20-year-old Alvarez, a native of Masbate who played for Pocari Sweat in the PVL.

The loss dropped San Sebastian, which swept itself to the finals in the last two seasons, to 1-1. But the Lady Stags lost to the St. Benilde Lady Blazers and Arellano U Lady Chiefs in the finals.

Earlier, Letran likewise evened its card at 1-1 with a 25-22, 25-17, 25-19 win over Mapua.