GAMES TODAY
(The Arena, San Juan)
11 a.m. – Mapua vs. Letran
2:30 p.m. – San Beda vs. Perpetual
ARELLANO University will be entering the Final Four of the 100th NCAA women’s volleyball tournament on a high after it survived also-ran Lyceum 25-16, 21-25, 25-21, 16-25, 15-5 yesterday at The Arena in San Juan.
The semis-bound Lady Chiefs climbed to provisional third with a 12-6 record after the eliminations.
Rookie middle blocker Sam Tiratira and graduating opposite spiker Pauline De Guzman paced Arellano with 18 and 17 markers, respectively, while Marianne Padillon added 10 markers.
“Siyempre masaya kami dahil iyong target namin this season is nakuha namin. So, sabi ko nga last time iyong makapasok muna kami sa Final Four, nakuha naman, tapos tsaka namin i-ta-target ang susunod,” Lady Chiefs coach Obet Javier said. “Ganon talaga. Kumbaga para sa amin maganda rin naman iyong napunta kami sa three or four kasi doon ma-te-test iyong mga bata kung nasaan talaga iyong ability nila sa paglalaro.
“Tsaka siguro iyon iyong ibinigay sa amin ng Panginoon ngayon na makapasok kami sa apat which is iyon naman yong hinihiling namin,” he added.
The Legarda-based crew awaits its final ranking in the semis as defending champion College of St. Benilde, Letran, and Mapua University still have remaining games in the elims.
Opposite hitter Ashley Muchillas delivered goods for the Lady Pirates with game-high 20 points as Johna Dolorito and Faeith De Guzman contributed 15 and 14 markers, respectively.
Lyceum, which slipped to 8-9, battles the Lady Blazers on Friday in the final elimination day at the same venue.
Earlier, San Sebastian College wrapped up its campaign with a 25-15, 23-25, 25-20, 25-16 win over Emilio Aguinaldo College.
The Lady Stags gave a fitting collegiate send-off to graduating setter Von Dimaculangan, who declared her application for the PVL Draft. The charismatic playmaker tossed 19 excellent sets, along with five points on two attacks, two service aces and a kill block.
