ARELLANO University and Perpetual Help go for the jugular today when they face San Sebastian College and Lyceum of the Philippines University in the women’s and juniors’ finals, respectively, of the 92nd NCAA volleyball tournament at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Both the Lady Chiefs and the Junior Altas erased the thrice-to-beat advantage of the Lady Stags and Junior Pirates by winning the first two of games in the finals and would clinch the title if they win today.
AU dominated the series opener, 25-18, 25-20, 25-16, last week and then survived reigning three-time league MVP Grethcel Soltones’ 26-hit performance to escape with an 18-25, 25-16, 25-11, 26-28, 15-13, Friday to move on the verge of snaring their second crown after winning it all two years ago.
For the Las Pinas-based school, it routed LPU, 25-21, 25-18, 25-22, in Game 1 and then eked out a come-from-behind 25-16, 23-25, 19-25, 25-18, 15-10 triumph in Game 2 to come close to pocketing their third straight crown and ninth overall.
Should both San Sebastian and LPU take Game 3, it will force a deciding Game 4 on Thursday.
Arellano University though is expected to go for it and dedicate the championship to the late wife of coach Obet Javier, Amy Marie, who passed away last week due to lung cancer.
“They want to dedicate it to her, but I told them not to be affected and just focus on the game,” said Javier.
For the Junior Altas, the title would be their way of making the school proud.
“This is for Perpetual Help and the whole community who have been supporting us through the ups and down,” said Perpetual Help mentor Sandy Rieta.
Games today
(Philsports Arena, Pasig)
12 nn.- LPU vs Perpetual Help (jrs)
3:30 p.m.- SSC vs AU (women’s)