Arellano U snatches berth in ‘NC’ Final 4

ARELLANO University waylaid Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC), 25-19, 25-11, 25-8, to advance to the Final Four while University of Perpetual Help slammed Mapua, 25-22, 25-17, 25-15, to return to the top four in women’s action of the 94th National Collegiate Athletic Association volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City on Monday.

Regine Anne Arocha, last year’s Finals Most Valuable Player, did most of the heavy damage with a match-best 14 points she highlighted with nine spikes and four service aces for the Lady Chiefs, who grabbed their seventh straight win to assure themselves of a spot in the Final Four.

The defending champions could jump straight to the best-of-three finals if they beat the Lady Altas on Thursday and the San Beda Red Lioness, their finals victims last year, on January 15.

Cindy Imbo made 12 hits for the Lady Altas, who jumped to a share of fourth spot with the San Sebastian Lady Stags.

In the men’s section, Arellano University survived stubborn EAC, 25-13, 25-18, 27-29, 16-25, 16-14, to claim solo No. 2 with a 6-1 won-lost card.

Christian de la Paz unloaded 16 points, while Kim Vincent Tan and Jesrael Liberato chipped in 14 and 13 hits, respectively, as the Generals registered their sixth triumph in seven games to inch closer to solo leader Perpetual Help (5-0).

EAC captain Joshua Mina and Joshua Ramilo unleashed 23 and 22 points, respectively, and ignited the comeback but couldn’t deliver when their team needed them most.

EAC slipped to its third setback against five wins but remained at No. 4.

In juniors’ play, EAC surprised Arellano University, 25-14, 25-20, 25-19, to improve to 3-5. The Junior Chiefs dropped to 4-3.