Seventh heaven for the Arellano Lady Chiefs
The Arellano University Lady Chiefs have secured their fifth consecutive semifinals appearance after dismantling the Lyceum of the Philippines University Lady Pirates in straight sets, 25-23, 25-23, 25-20, Wednesday afternoon at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
The win is Arellano’s seventh straight victory after they fell to the league-leading San Sebastian Lady Stags on opening day. On the other hand, the Lady Pirates are now in a two-game funk and are in danger of falling out of the top four.
Jovielyn Prado led the charge for the Lady Chiefs’ balanced offense with 12 points, 11 off spikes. For that, setter Rhea Ramirez registered 39 excellent sets.
It was a tussle in all of the sets as both teams leaned on their impeccable net and floor defenses to frustrate their opponents.
Nonetheless, the more efficient game of the gray-shirts lifted them to sweep the match and gain their seventh straight win.
The Lady Chiefs edged out the Lady Pirates in spikes, 37-36, and blocks, 8-6, while the latter put up eight aces. The crucial stat, however, was the 26 errors the Intramuros squad incurred.
Head coach Obet Javier believes that his squad has responded positively after that opening day loss to San Sebastian Lady Stags.
“Siguro na-realize lang nila yung mga mali nila, two sets ka ng nanalo, tapos natalo pa tayo,” he told the Lady Chiefs that day. “After that game namin sa Baste, sabi ko, ‘Dapat hindi na tayo masasaktan.'”
After clinching the semis berth, Javier knows the importance of keeping the winning momentum going. He always reminds his girls of their purpose.
“Bakit ba tayo nagpupunta sa Arena? Hindi tayo pumupunta para magcompete. Pumupunta tayo para manalo,” the tactician said.
Skipper Cherilyn Sindayen and Czarina Orros both had 11 points to lead the Pirates.
The semifinals-bound Lady Chiefs (7-1) hope to clinch one of the twice-to-beat bonuses when they face the playoff-seeking Perpetual Lady Altas (5-3) on January 25, Wednesday. The Lady Pirates (6-3) will try to deny the San Sebastian Lady Stags (7-0) a sweep to rescue their slim semis hopes on January 23, Monday.
The Scores
AU (3) – Prado 12, Sante 9, Marzan 8, Calixto 7, Esguerra 7, Ramirez 5, Flores 1, Sanchez 0, Arocha 0, Ibisa L, Galang L.
LPU (0) – Sindayen 11, Orros 11, Miralles 10, Sevilla 10, Fabay 4, Hongria 3, Genova 1, Carramanzana L, Inton L.
