Defending NCAA Women’s Volleyball champions Arellano University Lady Chiefs bounced back and subdued the San Sebastian College Recoletos Lady Stags, 19-25, 36-34, 25-16, 25-21, to clinch the twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four, Thursday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Five players finished in double digits with Jovielyn Prado leading the way with 17 points off 14 attacks and three blocks. Regine Arocha bounced back this game at 16 markers, but it was team captain Anne Esguerra’s production at 15 that made the difference for the Lady Chiefs.
Necole Ebuen and Andrea Marzan registered 14 and 13 points, respectively.
San Sebastian almost took a 2-advantage, turning a 21-24 deficit to a 25-24 set point. Nonetheless, back-to-back hits from Esguerra finished that second set.
Things turned worst for the Recto-based squad, as in the fourth set, Daurene Santos fell awkwardly and injured her ankle.
Despite the win and the other implications it carry, Arellano head coach Obet Javier was visibly displeased with his wards attitude in the past few games. The reason why it took them several minutes in the post-match huddle.
He shared, “May dapat pa kaming ayusin ngayon. Kung tatanungin niyo ko, masaya kasi panalo. Pero kung titignan niyo ‘yung game ngayon, di maganda para sa ‘min.
“Hindi ko na kasi nakikita ‘yung gustong manalo,” the seven-year mentor put it bluntly. “Hindi ko nakikita sa kanila ngayon. ‘Yun ang nakakatakot.”
Along with the semis incentive, Arellano (8-1) also advances to the Final Four as the top seed.
Nikka Dalisay paced the Lady Stags with a season-high 23 points.
San Sebastian’s (5-4) hopes lie on the results of the last matches of the eliminations.
The Scores:
AU 3 – Prado 17, Arocha 16, Esguerra 15, Ebuen 14, Marzan 13, Ramirez 2, Donato 1, Bello 1, Verutiao 0, Flores L, Buemia L.
SSCR 1 – Dalisay 23, Sta. Rita 15, Santos 14, Encarnacion 13, Guillema 3, Tiangco 2, Amponin 0, Eroa L.
