San Beda outlasts San Sebastian behind Angel Habacon double-double

Published April 14, 2024 5:28pm

Updated April 14, 2024 5:28pm

Rookie Angel Habacon shone the brightest as San Beda University captured its breakthrough win with a 25-17, 25-23, 22-25, 21-25, 15-10 escape against San Sebastian College-Recoletos in the NCAA Season 99 women’s volleyball tournament on Sunday.

Habacon delivered a double-double outing of 25 points anchored on 20 attacks, including the game-winning point, alongside three aces, and two blocks while also grabbing 10 receptions and nine digs as the Lady Red Spikers improved to 1-2. 

The win remained elusive for the Lady Stags, who fell to a 0-3 slate. 

After racing to a 2-0 set lead, San Beda lost steam in the next two frames with Kath Santos and Amaka Tan fueling San Sebastian’s barrage to level the series and force a decider. 

Lefty opposite hitter Klein Abraham stepped up for San Beda in the fifth, going for the kill from the left side to forge a 4-2 lead before a series of errors from San Sebastian proved costly. Another kill from Abraham sent San Beda to an 11-8 spread. 

Habacon then put the finishing blow with back-to-back attacks to give San Beda the match point, 14-10, as San Sebastian’s miscommunication on the floor won it for the Mendiola crew. 

Abraham finished with 14 points while Erin Navarro chipped in nine markers. 

Santos once again starred for the woeful San Sebastian, putting together 26 points built on 25 attacks and one block while Juna Gonzales and Tan chimed in with 16 and 11 markers apiece. 

—JKC, GMA Integrated News