Arellano University waylaid Emilio Aguinaldo College, 25-19, 25-11, 25-8, to advance to the semifinals, even as Perpetual Help slammed Mapua, 25-22, 25-17, 25-15, to reenter the Top Four in the women’s division of the 94th NCAA volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City yesterday.
Last year’s Finals MVP Regine Anne Arocha did most of the heavy lifting as she uncorked a match-best 14 points she highlighted with nine spikes and four service aces as the Lady Chiefs grabbed their seventh win in row, while assuring themselves of a spot to the Final Four.
Or the defending champion could leapfrog straight to the best-of-three finale if it could beat Perpetual Help on Thursday and San Beda, AU’s finals victim last year, on Jan. 15.
Cindy Imbo led her team with 12 hits as the Lady Altas jumped to a share of fourth spot with the San Sebastian Lady Stags.
In the men’s section, AU survived a stubborn EAC, 25-13, 25-18, 27-29, 16-25, 16-14, to claim solo No. 2 with a 6-1 card.
Christian dela Paz unloaded 16 points, while Kim Vincent Tan and Jesrael Liberato chipped in 14 and 13 hits, respectively, as the Generals registered their sixth triumph in seven games, while inching closer to solo leader Perpetual Help (5-0).
EAC captain Joshua Mina and Joshua Ramilo unleashed 23 and 22 points, respectively, and ignited the comeback but couldn’t deliver when their team needed them the most in the end.
EAC slipped to their third setback against five wins but remained at No. 4.
In juniors’ play, EAC surprised AU, 25-14, 25-20, 25-19, to improve to 3-5.
The Junior Chiefs skidded to 4-3.”‹
