LPU Lady Pirates complete reverse sweep vs. EAC to keep Final Four hopes alive
NCAA
By BEA MICALLER,GMA Integrated News
Lyceum of the Philippines University roared back from two sets down to complete a 15-25, 21-25, 25-22, 25-22, 15-13 win against Emilio Aguinaldo College in the NCAA Season 100 women's volleyball tournament on Sunday at the Lady Generals' home court in Manila.
The Lady Pirates were on the verge of their third straight loss, but veterans Johna Dolorito, Joan Doguna, and Venice Puzon provided the lifeline as they turned back EAC and improved to 7-8, keeping their Final Four hopes alive.
The Lady Generals, who leaned on rookie Jing Alimen and Cara Dayanan, blew their 2-0 set lead to drop to 4-11.
"Siguro nu'ng una medyo nahirapan po kami. Hindi kami agad nakapag-adjust doon sa game plan nila and buti na lang po nakabawi kami nu'ng third and fourth sets," Puzon told GMA News Online.
"Nakuha na po namin 'yung depensa at opensa namin."
Down two sets, LPU refused to surrender with Doguna serving back-to-back aces to send the Lady Pirates to a 20-16 lead in the third frame before she unleashed a down-the-line hit for a 24-21 cushion.
Dayanan then committed an attack error as LPU extended the game into a fourth set.
LPU, who was playing without head coach Cromwel Garcia who attended a personal matter, built on that momentum come the fourth frame and even led by as much as six at 16-10. EAC, though, made some fightback before Doguna unloaded the set-winning point anew, 25-22.
Alimen made it rain from the service line in the fifth after unloading three straight aces to fuel a 5-0 rampage that saw the Lady Generals take a crucial 8-4 lead.
But EAC blew that as well with Puzon serving up an ace of her own to force an 11-all deadlock. Doguna then had a costly attack error that allowed EAC to secure a 13-12 advantage.
Doguna made up for by going down the line before rookie opposite hitter Ashley Muchillas brought LPU to the match point at 14-13.
Doguna, who was inserted in the game as the service specialist, proved her worth by coming up with the game-winning ace to seal it for LPU.
Dolorito shone on both ends with a triple-double showing of 17 points, 15 receptions, and 12 digs while Muchillas and Doguna chipped in 13 and 12 markers apiece.
The loss spoiled the 25-point outing of Alimen, who also had 17 digs and nine receptions while Dayanan tallied 18 markers.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
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