REIGNING three-time champion Arellano University shrugged off a second set meltdown to repulse Letran 25-13, 21-25, 25-16, 25-20 yesterday for its third straight win and seize solo second in the 97th NCAA women’s volleyball tournament at the Paco Arena.
Skipper Carla Donato tallied 16 points for the Lady Chiefs, while Trina Abay chipped in 13 markers.
Charmina Diño and Princess Bello also combined for 23 points for Arellano, which scored a big follow-up to its 25-18, 19-25, 25-18, 25-19 victory over Jose Rizal University last Saturday and rose to 5-1.
The Lady Knights, coming off a 25-14, 25-22, 28-30, 25-12 loss to Lyceum also last Saturday, fell to 1-5 for seventh.
In the first match, College of St. Benilde whipped Mapua University 25-17, 25-11, 25-12 for its fifth straight win.
Mycah Go fired 12 points and had 10 excellent receptions for the Lady Blazers, while Jade Gentapa added 12 markers.
Cloanne Mondoñedo also had an all-around game with 18 excellent sets, 10 digs and two service aces to finish with six points as CSB, which went into the match armed with a 25-16, 25-16, 25-16 mauling of Emilio Aguinaldo College five days ago, remained unbeaten in five outings.
The Lady Cardinals saw their three-game winning streak, counting a 20-25, 25-22, 25-23, 13-25, 15-12 decision over Perpetual Help last Friday, come to a screeching halt and dropped to 3-2 for fourth in a tie with Lyceum.
“Siyempre masaya kami kahit papaano dahil iyong track namin nandoon, iyong prina-practice namin lagi nandoon pero kung titingnan natin kanina first set ang ganda noong ginawa ng team ko pero pagdating noong second set pumalpak, so nandoon parin iyong sakit nila na nagiging complacent,” Lady Chiefs coach Obet Javier said. — Abby Toralba
