Lady Chiefs survive third-set scare

Reigning titlist Arellano University bounced back from a third-set meltdown to beat San Sebastian, 2517, 25-18, 25-27, 25-13, yesterday and catch College of St. Benilde at the helm in the 95th NCAA women’s volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

The Lady Chiefs, who have never conceded a single set going into this showdown, were on their way to hammering out another straight-setter after they zoomed to a two-set lead and a 22-17 edge in the third set.

But the Lady Stags fought their way back to steal the set.

Good thing AU, which is eyeing its fourth straight crown and fifth overall, recovered and kept SSC in check in the fourth set to preserve the win.

“The players relaxed,” said AU coach Obet Javier.

Earlier, Christian dela Paz came through big when his team needed him most as AU survived San Sebastian, 25-23, 16-25, 25-27, 25-19, 16-14, to jump into a share of the lead with defending champion Perpetual Help in the men’s division.

The power-hitting Dela Paz unloaded a match-best 29 points, 28 of which came on spikes, as the Chiefs snared their fourth straight win.

Dela Paz shone brightest in the fifth and final set where he pumped in eight hits, including a crisp kill that gave AU the lead for good before Demy Lapuz scored on a kill block that sealed the win.

In juniors’ play, AU also stayed unscathed after it smothered SSC, 25-19, 25-13, 25-15.

The win, their fourth in row, pushed the Braves in a tie with the Junior Altas at the helm.