Ebuen steps up as injury-riddled Arellano nips Lyceum

Despite playing without four of their key players, the Arellano University Lady Chiefs managed to find their groove, fending off the Lyceum of the Philippines University Lady Pirates, 25-23, 12-25, 25-21, 25-21, in the 2019 PVL Collegiate Conference, Saturday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.

“Kung titingnan natin ‘yung team ko talagang struggle ngayon e. Bawas ako ng player e, apat ‘yung nawala ngayon due to injury,” Arellano head coach Obet Javier said.

The Lady Chiefs missed the services of ace spiker Regine Arocha (ankle injury), Carla Donato (hand injury), Jehan Hussain (knee injury), and Donna Paralejas (allergy).

In their stead, the rest of the Lady Chiefs stepped up in their own ways.

Reigning NCAA Season 94 MVP Necole Ebuen carried the offensive load. She was the lone double-digit scorer for Arellano, unloading a game-high 22 points.

Risa Batindaan supplied nine markers. Nicole Sasuman, who fired the match-clinching kills, managed five points.

Arellano setter Sarah Verutiao didn’t have the luxury of sharing the playmaking duties in the match as Paralejo was out due to sickness. Still, she tossed 26 excellent sets on top of four markers.

Faye Flores manned the floor with 29 excellent receptions and 26 excellent digs.

While the Lady Chiefs escaped the match unscathed to post a 2-0 card, Javier said that the team had to make sudden configurations on their usual rotation with the absence of Arocha and company.

“Yung pwesto namin ngayon hindi namin na-practice e so tiningnan ko lang kung anong nangyari,” he added.

On the other hand, the Lady Pirates fell to a 0-2 slate.

Ciarnella Wanta topped Lyceum with 14 points built on 10 attacks and two service aces.

Joan Doguna chipped 11 markers laced with 14 digs and seven receptions while Alexa Rafael chimed in nine points.

Arellano shall face FEU while Lyceum will take on St. Benilde. Both games will be played on Saturday, August 31 at the FilOil Arena.