Jacob Herrera, Benilde score breakthrough as JRU remains winless

Published April 14, 2024 11:54am

Updated April 14, 2024 11:54am

Jacob Herrera took the scoring cudgels as he steered De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde to a 25-22, 25-22, 25-19 sweep against slumping Jose Rizal University in the NCAA Season 99 men’s volleyball tournament on Sunday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.

The lefty spiker poured in 15 points to help the Blazers snap out of their two-game skid and improve to 1-2 while the Heavy Bombers dropped to a 0-3 hole. 

Benilde, who was coming off twin losses to Emilio Aguinaldo College and San Beda University, unleashed a 5-0 run to take a crucial 21-13 lead in the crucial third set. But the Heavy Bombers, winless as well prior to the match, staged a fightback in bid to extend the game. 

Without their usual suspects Matthew Miguel and Ken Daynata on the floor, JRU tried to hold on by unloading seven straight points even if Benilde was already at match point, 24-19. 

Herrera made sure the bleeding stopped, going for a powerful attack from the right side to deliver the game-winning point. 

Arnel Aguilar and Jams Marasigan chipped in 12 and 10 markers apiece with the latter also grabbing two digs and nine receptions to lift the Arnold Laniog-mentored crew. 

Miguel paced JRU with 13 points despite missing the latter part of the game while Daynata had six markers and six digs. 

Benilde will take on San Sebastian College-Recoletos on Wednesday while JRU will hope to bounce back on Friday against Letran.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News