Defending three-time champion Arellano University finally showed its deadly form, sweeping San Beda University in just a little over an hour, 25-20, 25-21, 25-22, in the NCAA Season 95 Women’s Volleyball Tournament, Monday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The win pushed the Lady Chiefs to the solo lead in the standings with a 5-0 slate. Meanwhile, the Lady Red Spikers suffered their first loss, falling to a 3-1 record.
Graduating winger Regine Arocha finished with 18 points to steer the reigning champs to the dominant victory, scoring on 13 attacks, three aces, and two blocks.
Nonetheless, it was the game of last year’s Most Valuable Player Necole Ebuen that made the difference. Ebuen finished with 12 markers on eight spikes and four blocks, including the match-clinching denial of Nieza Viray.
“Nakikita ko sa kanya may hesitation pa rin sa galaw eh,” Arellano head coach observed on the slowly recovering Ebuen. “‘Yung mga palo niya medyo alangan pa.
“Buti meron siyang mga last point na kung kailan crucial, nagawa niya. Pinaka-crucial ‘yung block eh, at ‘yung palo niyang kwatro din,” she continued.
San Beda led at the start of all the sets, but Arellano’s defense — especially at the net — did its job of keeping the frames close before eventually working in the latter’s favor. The Lady Chiefs ended with an 8-1 advantage in blocks, even as the two teams were even on digs at 58.
Cesca Racraquin ended with another double-double performance of 16 on both attacks and digs.
The Lady Chiefs will stake their unblemished record in the rematch of last season’s Finals against University of Perpetual Help System DALTA (3-1) on Wednesday, January 29 at 12nn. San Beda will try to bounce back when they face another undefeated squad in College of Saint Benilde (4-0) the following day, Thursday also at 12 p.m.
