Nieza Viray provided leadership for the San Beda University Red Lionesses and her contributions allowed them to bag the last semifinal ticket late Tuesday in the 95th National Collegiate Athletic Association women’s volleyball tournament.
With Viray hitting 17 points, the Red Lionesses smothered the Mapua University Lady Cardinals, 25-19, 25-17, 25-19, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Viray had 12 attack points for the the Lady Red Spikers in their 67-minute encounter.
The Red Lionesses improved to 6-2 to solidify their hold on fourth position in the standings.
Team skipper Cesca Racqraquin scored the last 12 points in helping San Beda join St. Benilde, Arellano and Perpetual in the semis.
“Mas maganda kasi nakikita ko ‘yung mga bata, talagang nagpupursigi so maganda sa amin ‘yun. ‘Yung morale nila mataas, tapos ‘yung maturity sa game nandiyan,” said San Beda University head coach Nemesio Gavino Jr.
San Beda’s Kim Manzano provided points near the net, with four of her 11 markers coming from blocks.
Lorraine Barias and Mae Fernandez topped Mapua with seven markers each for the Lady Cardinals, who fell down to the cellar with a dismal 1-7 slate.
San Beda will seek a better place in the semis when it takes on Lyceum on Friday.