MANILA, Philippines — San Beda recovered from a lackluster third set showing as it ousted University of Perpetual Help, 25-19, 25-15, 9-25, 25-21, and stayed in the playoff race for the last semifinal berth in the Premier Volleyball League Season 2 Collegiate Conference at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan last Wednesday.
Dominating in the first two sets, the Lady Red Spikers stumbled on errors in the third then squandered a 16-11 lead in the fourth before Satrriani Espiritu, Nieza Viray and Cesca Racraquin bailed them out with clutch hits.
San Beda thus joined College of Saint Benilde at fifth at 2-4, just behind the fourth running University of the Philippines (3-3).
“This victory is huge for us,” said SBU coach Nemesio Gavino Jr.
He, however, rued his charges’ lack of maturity in closing out games.
The Lady Red Spikers face the Lady Maroons on Sunday at 4 p.m., needing no less than a victory to force a playoff. The Lady Blazers will also be praying for a San Beda win although they must first hurdle the Lady Altas tomorrow.
UPHSD slipped to 1-5 and joined San Sebastian (0-6) on the sidelines.
Nieza Viray fired 19 points, Cesca Racraquin hammered in 15 points topped with nine excellent receptions, while Espiritu scored 13 for San Beda.