MANILA, Philippines — Jose Rizal U rode on Shola Alvarez’s explosive game as it pulled the rug from under St. Benilde, 25-21, 25-22, 25-21, yesterday to keep its slim Final Four bid alive in the NCAA women’s volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.
The power-hitting Alvarez, who honed her skills playing for former Premier Volleyball League champion Pocari Sweat, unloaded a match-best 21 hits, including 20 attack points, while serving as defensive anchor with 13 digs and eight receptions to lift the Lady Bombers to their third win against the same number of defeats.
JRU tied its victim at fifth.
Meanwhile, San Beda clawed back from two sets down to turn back Lyceum of the Phl U, 22-25, 19-25, 25-11, 25-17, 15-7, and kept its share of the lead with Arellano U with six straight wins.
Cesca Racraquin led the Lady Red Spikers’ attack with 26 points, including six of San Beda’s league-best 20 aces.
The Lady Pirates fell to 1-5.
“We just kept on believing that we can achieve something,” said JRU coach Mia Tioseco, whose wards hope to sweep their remaining matches against struggling teams like Mapua (0-5), Letran (2-3) and Lyceum of the Phl U (1-4).
