UNIVERSITY of Baguio (UB) Lady Cardinals pulled off another come from behind victory to seal their fifth straight title in women’s volleyball of the Baguio–Benguet Educational Athletic League (BBEAL).
The Lady Cardinals, just like in game one, erased another two set deficit and scored a hard earned 24 – 26, 19 – 25, 25 – 3, 26 – 24, 17 – 15 in a highly emotional game two to sweep rival University of the Cordilleras Lady Jaguars Wednesday evening at the UB Cardinals gym to close their campaign in the 31st season on a high note.
“It’s definitely a hard earned victory for us again. It was the team’s will that got us the win,” said coach Jhiesel Agudia, who earned her third straight championship with the Lady Cardinals after taking over in 2016.
Raynae Arances, Lyka Reyes, Dianne Bautista, Vienese Frigillana, and Chao Ong all showed up for the Lady Jaguars offensive power despite trailing early in the first set up as they limit their errors to only twelve that saw them steal the lead at 22 – 21.
Arances and Bautista then scored back to back points for the Lady Jaguars and take a 1 – 0 lead after the first set.
Ong then joined forces with Arances and Bautista as they combined for 12 attack points in the second set erecting a six point lead, 17 – 11, before closing out the second frame with back to back blocks and post a two set lead against the defending champion.
But as destiny have it, the Lady Cardinals fought back from possible defeat as Mary Ann Atuban, Hyacinth Aquino, and Belle Belsa combined for 14 points in the third set to come alive after posting a 5 – 0 lead early and never looked back to extend the ball game.
The Lady Jaguars and the Lady Cardinals exchange lead after lead but the defending champion was more aggressive in the offensive end scoring 16 attack points compared to 12 from UC to force a fifth set.
Agudia said the squad started slow but was able to turn things around after picking up the phase of the game in the third set.
“UC was setting up things slow and we fell for that so what we did is we speed things up and we were able to get our momentum going when we play out own game,” added Agudia.
The former UC Lady Jaguars hitter who won five championships quipped things could have been different have they lost game two.
“After being down again from two sets, it was the usual pep talk for the girls telling them to take it one point at a time and not to rush things. The game was emotionally and physically draining for both teams so this is a must win for us,” said Agudia.
