Defending champions Arellano University opened the bid to retain their title in dominant fashion, winning in three straight sets over Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 25-18, 25-12 25-19.
The Lady Chiefs started slow until Team Captain CJ Rosario fired a kill for a 12-7 lead in the first set, forcing Letran to call for a timeout. Rialen Sante then pushed the advantage to eight, 18-10. The Lady Knights tried to cut the deficit, but Arellano prevailed and took the opening set. The second frame was a different story, as the reigning champions took a huge 10-point lead and never looked back.
Arellano picked up momentum in the third set and led 12-4, before Letran slowly crept back into the game and went to within four, 15-19. Substitute Angelica Macabalitao pushed the Lady Chiefs to match point with a service ace. Another second-stringer, Angelica Sawali, ended the match with a kill.
It was a balanced offense for Arellano, who overpowered Letran with 45 attacks and 9 service aces. Skipper Rosario led the scorers with 17 points, 16 off attacks. Danna Henson had 11 markers, while Sante and Jovielyn Prado scored 9. No Lady Knight scored in double digits, with Cynthia Molina only getting 7 points for the team’s best.
The Arellano Lady Chiefs (1-0) next face the Lyceum Lady Pirates (1-0) on Friday, December 4 while the hosts Letran Lady Knights (0-1) look to bounce back against the JRU Lady Bombers on Monday, December 7.
The Scores:
AU (3) – Rosario 17, Henson 11, Sante 9, Prado 9, Salamagos 8, Macabalitao 2, Ramirez 2, Calixto 2, Tan 1, Sawali 1, Galang (L)
CSJL (1) – Molina 7, Carreon 6, Abitan 5, Lopez 4, Cabrera 3, Bangcola 1, Medina 1, Angeles (L), Laserna (L)
