Clutch Mohammad Tahiluddin lifts San Beda in five-set escape of Mapua
NCAA Season 99. Photo: Angela Davocol
Mohammad Tahiluddin delivered timely hits as San Beda University escaped Mapua University, 25-19, 17-25, 25-22, 19-25, 15-12, to break out of its slump in the NCAA Season 99 men’s volleyball tournament on Tuesday at FilOil EcoOil Centre.
Tahiluddin scored three points in the Red Spikers’ 4-1 closing run in the deciding set as they arrested a five-game losing streak to improve to 4-5 while the Cardinals are formally out of Final Four contention after dropping to 3-6.
Mapua forced an 11-all deadlock after Zaniel Florendo and Alvin Macadangdang denied Tahiluddin on his attempt from the left wing.
But Tahiluddin would make up for it after unleashing a cross court kill to deliver the match point at 14-12 before his long ball attack caught the endline to finish it off.
Tahiluddin finished with 15 points while rookie sensation Van Book top-scored with 20 points anchored on 17 attacks, two aces, and one block on top of three digs.
San Beda, which was coming off five straight losses after an impressive 3-0 start to the season, now awaits the results of the remaining elimination round games to determine whether it will make the playoffs.
The loss, however, spoiled another stellar outing from Mapua’s ace in Barbie San Andres, who churned out a game-high of 27 points built on 24 attacks and three blocks alongside 10 digs.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
This article Clutch Mohammad Tahiluddin lifts San Beda in five-set escape of Mapua was originally published in GMA News Online.