San Beda University whitewashed Letran, 25-18, 25-14, 25-13, yesterday to keep its chase of unbeaten leader Arellano University in the women’s section of the 94th NCAA volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Viray twins Marie and Ella Viray alternated in delivering the decisive blows and finished with 17 and 11 points, respectively, as the Lady Red Spikers stayed close to the Lady Chiefs, the defending champions who lead the way with a pristine 6-0 (win-loss) record, with a 6-1 card.
The Mendiola-based spikers are bracing for their much-awaited showdown with AU, the team that swept the former in two games in last year’s finale. They will try to avert a sweep that will catapult the latter straight to the championship round, while sending the rest to a tough stepladder semis.
Earlier, College of St. Benilde toughened up in the final two sets as it turned back Lyceum of the Philippines University, 25-20, 18-25, 25-14, 25-18, to stay at No. 3 with a 5-1 mark.
Rachel Anne Austero, Klarisa Abriam and Marites Pablo alternated with 14, 14 and 12 points, respectively, while captain Jewel Lai dished out a match-best 35 excellent sets, while sneaking in four hits.
LPU drew strength from Alexandra Mikaela Rafael’s 16-point effort, but lacked enough firepower to offset CSB’s strong performance in the third and fourth sets.
LPU skidded to 2-5.