San Beda University is back where it believes it belongs.
After years of waiting and one last nerve-racking hurdle to clear, the Lady Red Spikers finally punched their way into the NCAA Season 101 women’s volleyball semifinals after surviving Mapua University in a gripping five-set quarterfinal decider, 25-21, 24-26, 21-25, 28-26, 15-13, on Friday at the Alonte Sports Arena in Laguna.
What made the victory even more dramatic was the way San Beda had to earn it. Already pushed to the brink after dropping their first quarterfinal meeting against Mapua last Wednesday, the Mendiola-based squad responded with composure, firepower, and a refusal to let the season slip away. The payoff was massive: a return to the semifinals for the first time in seven years, a breakthrough moment that signaled how far the program has come.
At the center of the Lady Red Spikers’ breakthrough was Angel Habacon, who delivered a performance worthy of the occasion. The third-year hitter erupted for 28 points, all from attacks, while also taking on a heavy load on defense with 21 digs and 12 receptions. With the match hanging in the balance and Mapua threatening to complete a comeback of its own, Habacon came through with the finishing touch that sent San Beda into celebration.
Janelle Bachar was just as crucial in keeping the Lady Red Spikers afloat, pouring in 26 points behind 23 attacks and three blocks. Her steady production gave San Beda a reliable second weapon throughout the marathon encounter, especially as the match evolved into a battle of endurance and nerve.
The win did not come easy against a Mapua side that refused to back down. Raissa Ricablanca fired 24 points for the Lady Cardinals, while Freighanne Garcia turned in an all-around effort with 21 points and 30 receptions in a losing stand that nearly carried her team into the next round. Time and again, Mapua found ways to push San Beda into uncomfortable territory, including a fourth-set stand that nearly ended the Lady Red Spikers’ campaign.
Instead, San Beda showed its maturity when it mattered most. Down the stretch of the fourth set and again in the deciding frame, the Lady Red Spikers kept their composure, surviving the pressure-packed moments that often define postseason volleyball. More than just a victory, it was a statement of resilience from a team determined to rewrite its story.
Now, San Beda heads into an even tougher test as it takes on Group B top seed Colegio de San Juan de Letran in a best-of-three semifinal series beginning Sunday. But after surviving a do-or-die fight and ending a long Final Four drought, the Lady Red Spikers enter the next round with momentum, belief, and proof that they can endure the kind of battles champions are built on.