GAMES TODAY
(The Arena, San Juan)
11 a.m.– EAC vs. San Sebastian
2:30 p.m.– Arellano vs. Lyceum
FINAL Four-bound Arellano University tries to end its elimination round on a high note today when it battles eliminated Lyceum in the 100th NCAA women’s volleyball tournament that goes into its final elimination week at The Arena in San Juan.
Coming off back-to-back wins, the Lady Chiefs are the solid favorites to prevail in the game set at 2:30 p.m.
Arellano is eyeing the No. 3 slot in the Final Four. The Legarda-based crew is tied with Mapua University in the standings at 11-6.
Reigning three-peat champion College of Saint Benilde and Colegio de San Juan de Letran have clinched the twice-to-beat bonuses in the Final Four.
Arellano mentor and NCAA four-time champion coach Obet Javier said the Lady Chiefs should not be complacent, adding they tend to relax.
“‘Yung game, kumpara sa last two games namin, nanalo kami ng straight sets pero kung titingnan iyong galaw ng team parang sobrang relaxed. Doon ako natatakot, na ang team nagre-relax. ‘Yan ang nakakatakot bilang coach,” Javier said after Arellano’s straight sets victory over Emilio Aguinaldo College 25-19, 25-15, 25-23 last Wednesday.
Against the Lady Pirates, he said the team must improve its.
“Sabi ko nga, iyong game today hindi siya ganun kaayos kumpara sa last two games so siguro panonoorin namin iyong last two games namin para makita namin kung ano pa iyong dapat i-adjust, ano ba iyong kailangan naming gawin,” he said.
Laika Tudlasan, Sam Tiratira and Pauline De Guzman are expected to lead the Lady Chiefs in the pivotal showdown.
The Cromwel Garcia-led Lady Pirates missed the playoffs after making it into the semifinals for two consecutive seasons. They are running sixth with an 8-8 card.
Lyceum beat San Sebastian College last Saturday, coming from behind to win 23-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-15.
Clashing in the other game at 11 a.m. are the EAC Lady Generals and the San Sebastian Lady Stags.
The two squads are in the lower half of the standings, with the Lady Stags in seventh with a 7-10 mark and the Lady Generals in 8th with a 4-13 record.
