MANILA – San Beda University Lady Red Spikers opened its NCAA Season 101 women’s volleyball campaign on a winning note as it defeated Lyceum Lady Pirates, 25-21, 22-25, 25-15, 25-18, on Saturday at the San Andres Sports Complex.
The victory marked a successful NCAA coaching debut for Emilio “Kungfu” Reyes, who took charge of the Lady Red Spikers this season and guided the team to a 1–0 start in Group B.
San Beda pulled away in the third set after Lyceum briefly threatened to take control. With the score tied at 8-all, Janelle Bachar ignited an 11-3 run with a cross-court kill that gave the Red Spikers an 18-11 cushion they would not relinquish.
Lyceum trimmed the gap to 18-13 behind back-to-back hits from Johna Dolorito and Hilalhia Alberto, but San Beda stayed composed and closed out the set before taking the fourth to seal the match.
Bachar led the Red Spikers with 27 points, while Angel Mae Habacon added 23 to power Reyes’ first win at the helm.
Dolorito finished with 13 points for Lyceum, which fell to 0–1, while Katrina Galedo had 16 excellent sets in the losing effort.
In the day’s other result, San Sebastian College-Recoletos Lady Stags also made a strong start in Group A after outlasting Jose Rizal University Lady Bombers, 25-17, 25-20, 19-25, 25-19.
Juna May Gonzales scored 17 points to lead the Lady Stags, with Princess Sofia Ramos contributing 13. Jercine Mae Balajadia ran the offense with 20 excellent sets.
For JRU, Czarina Ramos tallied 21 points built on 19 attacks and two aces, but the Lady Bombers opened their season with a loss./PN
