The defending champs, Arellano University Lady Chiefs got back to their winning ways while the Lyceum of the Philippines University Lady Pirates moved into the Top Four of the NCAA Season 91 Women’s Volleyball Tournament held at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium earlier today.
The Lady Pirates survived long-rally marred contest with the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, escaping in five sets, 25-27, 25-14, 25-19, 19-25, 15-13 in the first match of the day.
Lyceum got a balanced effort from their starting six with Jhemil Abadilla leading the way with 19 points. La Raine Fabay scored 15 markers, Cazrina Orros pitched in 14 points, while Mickaela Andres recorded 11 markers.
The Lady Generals leaned heavily on journeywoman Negrina Pagdanganan who topped the score sheet with 20 points off 17 attacks, two aces, and a block. Janine Danao powered in 13 points while team captain Yvonne Reyes contributed 10 markers.
LPU’s win gives them a momentary hold on the fourth spot in the standings with a 4-2 record over the now 3-3 EAC and the idle 3-2 UPHSD Lady Altas.
The AU Lady Chiefs then waylaid the Mapua Institute of Technology Lady Cardinals in straight sets, 25-15, 25-19, 25-21.
The Lady Cardinals negotiated momentary leads midway through the second set and late in the third set. Their faulty reception and service errors, however, allowed the Legarda-based squad to catch up and use their plethora of offensive weapons to quickly take the match.
AU outperformed MIT in every scoring skill with middle blocker, Shirley Salamagos dropping a team-high 14 points, Jovielyn Prado managing 12 markers, while CJ Rosario recording 11 points.
Jela Pena towed the Lady Cardinals with 11 point, Katrina Racelis contributing six points and team captain Bea Aquino scoring four points which includes three aces.
Arellano’s win comes off the heels of their staggering loss last Saturday to SSC-R. The Lady Chiefs are still in second place with a 5-1 record while Mapua is yet to win in six games.