Shola Alvarez exploded with 30 points in a Most Valuable Player (MVP)-like performance to lead Jose Rizal University (JRU) in ousting Letran, 22-25, 28-26, 25-17, 25-16, and boosting its Final Four chances in Season 93 National Collegiate Athletic Association women’s volleyball action on Wednesday at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Alvarez, one of the leading MVP candidates, unloaded 25 spikes, four service aces and one block for a 30-hit game and was also superb in defense with 20 digs and eight receptions. She got ample help from their top rookie, Dolly Verzosa, who added 17 points.
Alvarez, playing out her final playing year, has a chance to lead her team to the Final Four for the first time as they are now tied at fourth place with San Sebastian on a 5-3 win loss record. They are a game behind solo third placer University of Perpetual Help (5-2) and half a game ahead of College of Saint Benilde (4-3).
JRU has to win its last match against Lyceum of the Philippines University on Tuesday to secure at least a playoff for fourth place. But the Lady Bombers’ fate still depend on the result of the final elimination game between San Sebastian and Arellano University (7-1) today, Perpetual Help’s match against Letran tomorrow and Saint Benilde, which will face Mapua University today before proceeding to Tuesday’s crucial duel with the Lady Altas.
Faith Torres, Jaymeleen Parin and Rhoselle Urriza combined for 42 points but they failed to resuscitate the Lady Knights’ slim chance of making it to the semifinals after dropping to a 3-5 card.
Emilio Aguinaldo College, meanwhile, squandered a 2-0 set lead but caught fire in the fifth set to overcome Lyceum, 25-14, 25-21, 23-25, 17-25, 15-11, for its second win in eight outings.
Ladeisheen Magbanua led the Lady Generals with 16 points built on 12 attacks, two blocks and as many service aces. Outside spikers Aura Binondo and Jayme Lumbo chipped in 13 hits apiece, while middle blockers Yvette Tongco and Crislie Pablo added 10 each.
Bien Juanillo unloaded a season-high 20 points for the Lady Pirates, but it was not enough to save Lyceum from sinking to its seventh loss in eight games.
Image credits: Roy Domingo