ARELLANO University seeks to ride the crest of its emphatic Game One victory while San Sebastian hopes to bounce back from its lethargic performance as the two collide today in the women’s division finals of the 92nd NCAA volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan City.
Relying on their rock solid blocking and superb court coverage, the Lady Chiefs overpowered the once unbeaten Lady Stags, 25-18, 25-20, 25-16, Tuesday to reduce the series to a two-to-win showdown.
Game time is at 3:30 p.m.
“Our game plan is the same except we need to adjust to whatever adjustment they will make,” said Arellano U coach Obet Javier in Filipino.
Arellano U limited reigning back-to-back MVP Grethcel Soltones to just 15 hits while shackling the rest of San Sebastian’s spikers.
San Sebastian mentor Roger Gorayeb, whose charges swept the elimination round to advance straight to the finals along with the thrice-to-beat edge that goes with it, was disappointed but said it is not yet to late to bounce back.
“We have to have the mindset to win the championship if we want to win one. We can’t win a championship if we play like the way we played in Game One,” said Gorayeb.
In juniors’ play, Perpetual Help aims to sustain the momentum of its 25-21, 25-18, 25-22 triumph Tuesday as it tangles with Lyceum of the Philippines U at 12 noon.
Thanks to the series-opening win, the Junior Altas have evened things up as they negated the Junior Pirates’ thrice-to-beat advantage.
Games Three is on Tuesday while a deciding Game Four, if necessary, is on Feb. 16.
Games Today
(Filoil Flying V Center)
12 p.m.- Perpetual Help vs LPU (jrs)
3:30 p.m.- Arellano U vs San Sebastian (women’s)