Lady Chiefs, Spikers try to seal title duel
Arellano University and San Beda seek to arrange a showdown for the crown as they face Jose Rizal U and Perpetual Help, respectively, in the Final Four of the 93rd NCAA women’s volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan today.
With twice-to-beat edges, the Lady Chiefs and the Red Spikers set out as the favorites when they slug it out with the Lady Bombers and the Lady Altas at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., respectively.
Victories by Arellano and San Beda, which finished 1-2 in the elims, will set up the best-of-three title showdown next week.
AU is eyeing a second straight finals appearance while San Beda is aiming at its first ever finals stint.
“Winning the title has always been our goal. But we need to focus in the Final Four first before thinking of anything,” said AU coach Obet Javier.
But the Lady Altas and the Lady Bombers, who ended up third and fourth after the elims with 7-2 and 6-3 marks, respectively, are going all out to foil their fancied rivals and force a sudden death in their respective series.
Shola Alvarez, an MVP contender who leads the league in scoring with a 21.33-point norm, said she will pour it all out in what could be her last game in the league.
“I will give it all since this could be my last game in the NCAA,” said Alvarez.
Meanwhile, San Beda and reigning titlist CSB tangle at 11 a.m. in the first stepladder semis in the men’s division. The winner will take on No. 2 Arellano U in the next phase on Tuesday.
Perpetual Help swept the ninegame elims to gain an automatic finals seat.