The Arellano University Lady Chiefs displayed the resiliency that led them to the NCAA Season 92 title, outlasting the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons for the last Premier Volleyball League Women’s Collegiate Conference semis seat in Group B, 22-25, 25-10, 25-19, 32-34, 15-3, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Going down in disappointing fashion in the first set, skipper Jovielyn Prado knew Arellano would persevere and show their game in the following sets.
“Beterano na rin po kasi ‘yung karamihan sa amin na naglalaro sa loob ng court so alam namin kung saan namin kailangan mag-adjust,” said Prado, who strung together a season-high 26 points.
“Pinaghandaan po kasi namin ‘yung UP. Alam namin ‘yung galaw nila so doon kami nag-adjust. Dinagdagan pa po namin ‘yung effort namin noong mga sumunod na set,” added the two-time NCAA champion coach.
Arellano wound up blasting the Lady Maroons in the second and third set, building big leads early from which UP could not recover. The fourth set had a spirited Lady Maroons rally behind winger Justine Dorog, who went down with a knee injury early in the set, and eke out a tight win to extend the match into a fifth set.
UP then lost all their steam in the final frame, allowing the Lady Chiefs to go on a 10-1 tear to start the frame, clinching the match.
Open hitters Regine Arocha and Necole Ebuen provided 25 and 15 points, respectively, that fueled the Arellano offense.
Arellano await the result of the final match in Group B between Adamson and San Beda to determine their seeding.
UP had high-scoring duo Tots Carlos and Isa Molde lead the way with 29 and 20 markers, respectively.
The Lady Maroons flunked out of another PVL conference after bowing out of the Open conference two months ago.
The Scores
AU (3) – Prado 26, Arocha 25, Ebuen 15, Marzan 10, Esguerra 9, Verutiao 3, Ramirez 2, Balanoba 0, Buemia (L)
UP (2) – Carlos 29, Molde 20, Buitre 7, Dorog 5, Cailing 3, Ramos 3, Layug 1, Rosier 0, Estrañero (L)
