Momentum arrived in contrasting fashion for San Sebastian College-Recoletos and Emilio Aguinaldo College on Friday, as the women’s and men’s divisions delivered two entirely different scripts in the NCAA Philippines Season 101 volleyball tournament at the San Andres Sports Complex.The Lady Stags were clinical.
The Generals were resilient. By the end of the afternoon, both programs walked away with statements to build on — albeit in sharply contrasting fashion.
San Sebastian’s women imposed order from the outset, sweeping EAC, 25-23, 28-26, 25-16, in a match that revealed growing cohesion and late-set composure.
Leading the charge was Kath Santos, who delivered a 21-point masterclass anchored on 19 attacks. More than just a scoring outburst, her performance highlighted sharper decision-making in transition plays and a willingness to take over in extended rallies. Santos also added seven digs, underlining her two-way impact.
The first two sets were tightly contested, with EAC threatening to steal momentum in crunch time. But San Sebastian’s defensive coverage and cleaner serve-receive execution allowed them to edge out the narrow frames. The third set was a different story. Once the Lady Stags found their serving rhythm, they dictated tempo and forced EAC into hurried offensive sequences.
Christina Marasigan chipped in nine markers, providing timely support as San Sebastian improved to 2-5 in Group A. While the record remains a work in progress, the sweep signals a team beginning to translate potential into results.
On the other side, Angel Joy Perez carried EAC with 16 points, but the Lady Generals remain in search of their first win. Their competitiveness in the opening sets suggests they are not far off — yet closing remains their biggest hurdle.
EAC men flip the script in five
If the women’s match was about control, the men’s clash was about character.
The EAC Generals clawed back from a two-set deficit to stun San Sebastian, 19-25, 22-25, 25-19, 25-23, 15-12, in a five-set thriller that showcased depth and stamina.
Ruther Abor delivered a commanding 26-point outing, hammering 24 attacks and adding two blocks in a performance that anchored EAC’s comeback. But the victory was far from a one-man effort.
Michael Gela and Ralph Cristian Tamayo scored 14 apiece, Joshua Olivo added 13, and Frelwin Taculog contributed 10 points while anchoring the backline with 25 excellent receptions. Setter Edward Rosagaran orchestrated the offense efficiently, tallying 26 excellent sets out of 27 attempts — a near-flawless display of distribution under pressure.
After dropping the first two sets, EAC tightened its floor defense and began winning longer rallies. The fourth set saw them erase a late deficit, and by the deciding frame, momentum had fully shifted. Their composure in transition proved decisive.
Kyle Villamor paced San Sebastian with 21 points, while Ellemar Dullete added 19. The Stags showed early dominance but struggled to sustain their edge once EAC adjusted defensively.
With the win, EAC improved to 5-2 in Group B, strengthening its position as a legitimate contender. San Sebastian slipped to 3-4, a setback that underscores the fine margins separating mid-table teams.
Friday’s twin bill offered a snapshot of evolving identities. San Sebastian’s women displayed structure and discipline, signaling a climb upward. EAC’s men demonstrated grit and collective resolve, reinforcing their playoff ambitions.
In a tournament where every match can recalibrate standings and confidence, both programs leave with momentum — earned in entirely different ways.