Defending NCAA Women’s Volleyball champions Arellano University Lady Chiefs were a picture of consistency, overwhelming the underdog darlings Jose Rizal University Lady Bombers, 25-13, 25-20, 25-17, to waltz in the NCAA Season 93 Finals at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Lady Chiefs get a chance to become the first back-to-back NCAA champions since the University Perpetual Help System DALTA Lady Altas achieved the feat back in Seasons 87-89. They face the San Beda University Lady Red Spikers in Game One on Friday.
Arellano controlled the entire, leading from first whistle to last. The Lady Chiefs sealed the first set early after taking a 15-7 lead. JRU contested the following two sets heavily, but only got within two points of Arellano in both. The Lady Chiefs climbed ahead in the second frame, 23-17, then locked down the match with a 4-0 run late in the third set that gave them a 23-16 lead.
“Buong season, ito talaga ang pinaghirapan namin. Alam namin na kaya naming makabalik sa Finals, kailangan lang naming pagtrabahuhan at mag-focus,” said Arellano head coach Obet Javier.
“Ngayon focus na kami sa championship. Hopefully, pumabor sa amin,” the champion mentor added.
Open hitter Regine Arocha topped the Lady Chiefs with 15 points off 12 attack, two aces, and a block. Middle blocker Andrea Marzan added nine points.
Season 93’s top scorer Shola Alvarez was shackled to just seven points in her final NCAA match. Rookie Dolly Versoza led JRU with 12 points.
The Scores
AU (3) – Arocha 15, Marzan 9, Ebuen 8, Esguerra 7, Prado 7, Verutiao 2, Donato 0, Ramirez 0, Torres 0, Buemia (L), Flores (L)
JRU (0) – Versoza 12, Alvarez 7, Rivera 3, Ebuenga 2, Montojo 1, Sibangan 1, Bautista 0, Bodiongan 0, Macaraya (L)
