Arellano is champ
Arellano University returned to familiar territory yesterday as it bested San Beda, 25-13, 29-27, 25-15, to capture the NCAA women’s volleyball crown at The Arena in San Juan City.
The Lady Chiefs needed five match points after the Lady Red Spikers refused to give up from 24-10 before Mary Ann Esguerra smashed a center spike to complete a sweep their best-of-three championship series.
They took Game 1 last Saturday, 2515, 25-16, 15-25, 22-25, 15-6.
It was Arellano’s second straight title and third since winning in 2015.
Aching to retain the crown, the Lady Chiefs turned to their offense led by Regine Arocha and Jovielyn Prado to weaken the Lady Red Spikers’ net defense, particularly in the second frame.
Arocha, awarded the Finals Most Valuable Player, and Prado had 15 points each as Arellano overpowered SBC in attacks (47-27) and blocks (9-4). The dynamic duo conspired for 26 kills.
Arocha also joined forces with libero Cherry Buemia to cover the floor, combining for 29 digs.
Meanwhile, University of Perpetual Help breathed life to its title bid as it turned back Arellano University, 2624, 25-20, 23-25, 25-16, in Game 2 of the NCAA men’s volleyball finals.
The Altas grabbed the momentum early and recovered from the Chiefs’ pesky attacks in the third set to forge a knockout match for the crown in the best-of-three championship series on Thursday.
Ridzuan Muhali led Perpetual with 15 points while Rookie-Most Valuable Player Joebert Almodiel pumped in 13 points along with Ronniel Rosales for Perpetual, which saw its nine-game winning streak end last Saturday in a 12-25, 25-21, 19-25, 26-24, 15-9 Game 1 defeat.
Credit is also due to fifth-year setter Warren Catipay, who delivered a variety of plays for the Altas’ wing spikers in finishing with 40 excellent sets. Awarded the season’s Best Setter, Catipay also provided solid defense on the floor and managed five digs.
Perpetual was two points shy of closing out the match in the third set with a 23-20 edge but lapsed into a series of unforced errors that allowed Arellano to score five straight points for the set victory.