ARELLANO University’s floor defense worked wonders for them as the Lady Chiefs came away with a 25-18, 25-20, 25-16 triumph over the San Sebastian Lady Stags last Tuesday.
This evened up their women’s finals series in the 92nd NCAA volleyball tournament at the Arena in San Juan City.
Their blocks kept the Lady Stags at bay all through their three-set encounter, but the loss denied them of maximizing the thrice-to-beat edge that they enjoyed for sweeping the elimination round.
With Lady Chiefs’ triumph, the finals’ series has now become a first-to-win-two series.
The Lady Stags were forced into errors at the net by the Lady Chiefs, who stepped up with their blocking defense as Arellano University made a huge effort to stop SSC’s dreaded spiker Grethcel Soltones.
“Lumabas iyung laro ng mga bata. Lumabas kung ano iyung napag-praktisan. Nag-concentrate sila blocking,” said Lady Chiefs’ coach Obet Javier.
Their defense up front allowed the Lady Chiefs to move away, 8-3, early in the third set.
Regine Arocha delivered 14 points for the Lady Chiefs, while Andrea Marzan and Mary Anne Esguerra had 10 hits.
They took a 12-5 edge in the third off Esguerra’s ace and block.
Marzan’s kill and block later allowed Arellano University to take a 9-point edge, 17-8.
Games 2 and 3 are set on Friday and Tuesday while a Game 4, if necessary, is on Feb. 16.
