The Arellano University Lady Chiefs shook off a sluggish third set to finish off the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Lady Knights, 25-18, 25-14, 29-31, 25-17, and clinch their third consecutive victory in four matches, Thursday afternoon at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Three Arellano spikers registered double-digit productions to outclass the Letranites. Outside hitter Jovelyn Prado led the way with 17 markers off 12 spikes and five service aces.
The Chiefs cruised past the opponents in the first two sets as first-ball problems hounded the Lady Knights.
The Intramuros squad adjusted their floor coverage in the third set and threatened to steal the frame early with a 23-18 lead. Prado and company pushed Letran to the limit and even got match point, 26-25. Nonetheless, an error on reception from Chiefs conceded the set to the Knights.
With renewed confidence, Letran got the early lead in the fourth set. Team skipper Rialen Sante then took charge to close out the set and the match for the last year’s semifinalists.
Sante believes that the Lady Chiefs just did what they were supposed to do from the start.
“Siguro yung tiyaga namin maglaro, nabuo namin yung dapat noon pa binubuo namin. Nagkaroon kami ng teamwork. Yun nga yung tiyaga, nagawa namin,” she said.
Outside hitter Glayssa Faith paced the Knights with 15 points.
The Lady Chiefs (3-1) will face the San Beda Lady Red Spikers in their next match, while the Lady Knights (0-4) take on the Perpetual Lady Altas (1-2). Both matches will be on Wednesday, December 7.
The Scores
AU (3) – Prado 17, Marzan 16, Sante 14, Esguerra 11, Calixto 7, Arocha 7, Ramirez 2, Tan 0, Flores 0, Sanchez 0, Galang L, Ibisa L.
CSJL (1) – Torres 15, Mendoza 10, Lopez 8, Barrinuevo 7, Simborio 4, Parin 3, Carreon 1, Abitan 1, Bangcola 0, Larioque L, Angeles L.