DEFENDING champion Arellano University tries to extend its reign to another season as it tackles Mapua, even as last year’s losing finalist San Sebastian parades a decimated line up without its leader Grethcel Soltones as it faces off with Emilio Aguinaldo at the start of the women’s division of the 93rd NCAA volleyball tournament on Jan. 4 at the Filoil Arena in San Juan City.
The Lady Chiefs will be playing almost the same cast that won last year’s championship, headed by Regine Anne Arocha, Necole Ebuen, Andrea Marzan and Jovielyn Grace Prado as they battle the Lady Cardinals at 1:30 p.m.
Considered as the underdogs after finishing second in the elimination round, AU defied the odds and beat San Sebastian, which swept its way straight to the finals, in three games in the championship round to clinch the former’s second crown.
In contrast, San Sebastian lost Soltones, the league’s three-time MVP, and several key players and will be using the minimum nine-player line up that includes Premier Volleyball League veterans Alyssa Eroa, Vira May Guillema, Joyce Sta. Rita and Dangie Encarnacion.
Worse, Julie Ann Tiangco, who is expected to take up a bigger role following the departure of the veterans, hurt her knee recently.
“For different reasons, half of my players from last year are gone. Now I just have to make the most out of the remaining players and hope for the best,” said SSC coach Roger Gorayeb.
The SSC-EAC duel is set at 12 noon.