Lady Chiefs out to deny Altas triple kill

University of Perpetual Help’s quest for a rare volleyball triple kill would have to wait.

Fueled by its own bid of defending its back-to-back titles, Arellano University held off grand slam-seeking UPHSD, 23-25, 25-9, 25-18, 22-25, 15-12, in Game Two of their bestof-three championship tussle.

UPHSD’s men’s and juniors teams earlier took twin titles against College of Saint Benilde and Colegio de San Juan de Letran, respectively, but the Lady Altas ran into a resolute Lady Chiefs side which displayed championship poise to level the series after a 25-21, 17-25, 21-25, 20-25 loss in the series opener last week. Game Three is set on Tuesday. Freshly minted Most Valuable Player Necole Ebuen lifted AU with three crucial hits down the stretch in the decider and finished with 18 points. She also had 18 digs.

“Sabi ko sa sarili ko ipapakita ko pa po ‘yung best ko kasi maraming nagsasabi na hindi ko deserve ‘yung award. Sabi ko papatunayan ko sa inyo na deserve ko ‘tong award kaya pinakita ko talaga ‘yung best ko kanina,” said an emotional Ebuen who bucked a right ankle sprain she sustained in the fifth set to tow the team to victory.

Princess Bello also scored 18, Carla Donato punched in 13 while Regine Arocha came up with 12 for AU.

Cindy Imbo keyed UPHSD’s late run in the fourth to force the decider and scored a down-the-line hit to save the match point to finish with 18 points. She was the lone Lady Altas player in double figures.