Lady Chiefs, Spikers seal NC title clash
Defending champion Arellano University and San Beda pulled off a pair of straight set victories yesterday to arrange a showdown for the NCAA women’s volleyball crown at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.
The Lady Red Spikers banked on Viray twins Nieza and Jiezela when team captain Cesca Racraquin struggled as they downed the Perpetual Help Lady Altas, 25-21, 25-15, 25-23, to advance to the finals for the very first time.
The Lady Chiefs, on the other hand, clipped the Jose Rizal Lady Bombers in their first Final Four stint in a long while, 25-13, 25-20, 25-17, in the other semis clash.
Nieza fired a match-best 16 hits, including 13 kills and three service aces, while Jiezela chipped in eight points. The duo also anchored the team’s superb floor defense, combining for 22 digs to help propel the Lady Red Spikers to the best-of-three finals for the very first time.
Racraquin failed to get going and was held to just nine points but she made a good account of herself in defense, coming through with 12 excellent receptions.
“The girls were really determined to make it to the finals and they showed it in this game,” said San Beda coach Mesio Gavino, now two wins away from steering the team to a first volley crown.
While San Beda made history, Arellano returned to the finals for a crack at back-toback title feat and third overall championship.
“Winning the championship has always been our ultimate goal and we’re glad to get closer to achieving it,” said AU mentor Obet Javier.
Earlier, College of St. Benilde kept its titleretention bid alive as it thwarted San Beda, 25-16, 24-26, 25-19, 20-25, 20-18, in the first stepladder semis match in men’s play.
Skipper Isaah Oneal Arda uncorked a match-best 23 points, including 22 attacks, as the Blazers set up a clash with the second seeded Chiefs on Tuesday in another knockout duel for the second and last slot in the bestof-three finals.
Perpetual Help clinched the outright finals berth by sweeping the elims.
In junior’s division, Letran outlasted CSBLa Salle Greenhills, 13-25, 25-23, 25-23, 20-25, 15-12, to nail a Final Four spot.