ARELLANO University continued to display championship form as it bashed Letran, 25-17, 25-17, 25-12, yesterday to reclaim the solo lead in the 93rd NCAA women’s volleyball tournament at the Filoil Arena in San Juan City.
Nicole Ebuen dropped 11 hits on her former school, while Regine Anne Arocha likewise fired 11 points to help the Lady Chiefs, the defending champions, to their third straight win and back to the top ahead of the St. Benilde Lady Blazers and San Beda Red Spikers, both with 2-0 (win-loss) cards.
It was also AU’s 15th win in row dating back from last season when it racked up 12 straight wins including a three-game sweep of San Sebastian in the finals to snare the crown.
“My players are just focused on winning,” said an impressed AU coach Obet Javier in Filipino.
The game also marked the return of last year’s Best Setter Rhea Marist Ramirez, who came off the bench and saw some action in the second and third sets behind Sarah Princess Verutiao, who dished out 21 excellent sets.
The Lady Knights fell to their second defeat against a win.
In the men’s division, AU likewise remained unbeaten as it waylaid Letran, 25-16, 25-12, 25-15.
Letran averted a day sweep at the hands of AU as its juniors’ squad eked out a 25-23, 25-21, 21-25, 25-20 triumph to improve to 1-1.
Games Monday
(Filoil Arena, San Juan)
9:30 a.m.- MU vs LPU (m)
11 a.m.- MU vs LPU (w)
12:30 p.m.- SSC vs UPHSD (w)
2 p.m.- SSC vs UPHSD (m)
3:30 p.m.- SSC vs UPHSD (jrs)