ARELLANO University opened its title-retention bid on a winning note as it overpowered Mapua, 25-10, 25-17, 25-13, Wednesday in the women’s division of the 93rd NCAA volleyball tournament at the Filoil Arena in San Juan City.
Favored to win it all this season after retaining the core of their champion team last year, the Lady Chiefs didn’t miss a beat and came through with a quick, merciless straight-set victory to jumpstart its campaign.
Regine Arocha led the way with 12 points, but it was back-up setter Sarah Princess Verutiao, who stepped up huge as she came through with 28 excellent hits on top of six hits in the absence of starter Rhea Ramirez, who was rested due to a shoulder injury.
Earlier, San Sebastian College leaned on a compact seven-player line up as it downed a listless Emilio Aguinaldo College, 25-16, 25-19, 25-16, to jumpstart its campaign.
Left with just seven warm bodies after the eighth of the nine players they enlisted—Julie Ann Tiangco—injured her knee a couple of weeks back, the Lady Stags made the most out it and made short work of the Lady Generals to claim their first victory.
All but one of the seven players contributed at least a point with skipper Joyce Sta. Rita, Dangie Encarnacion, Nikka Dalisay and Daurene Santos all coming up big by unloading 13 hits each.
Dannah Amponin chipped in six, while libero Alyssa Eroa sneaked in a point.
Setter Vira Guillema ended up scoreless, but she was the fire that kept their attacking game going with 28 excellent sets.
“We expect a tough season because we lost a lot of players,” said SSC coach Roger Gorayeb in Filipino. “We would be happy to just survive and maybe finish in the Final Four.”
The win also officially ushered in the post-Grethcel Soltones era for the Lady Stags as their three-time league MVP already played her final season last year.
Gorayeb said it could be a blessing in disguise for his team.
“In the past seasons, the players were relying too much on Grethcel. I hope it works the other way around this year for us and the players start working and playing hard themselves,” he said.
Games today (Jan. 5)
(Filoil Arena, San Juan)
8 a.m.- CSB vs CSJL (jrs)
9:30 a.m.- CSB vs CSJL (m)
11 a.m.- CSB vs CSJL (w)
12:30 p.m.- JRU vs SBC (w)
2 p.m.- JRU vs SBC (m)