ARELLANO University imposed the wits of a reigning champion on a hapless Jose Rizal University (JRU), 25-19, 25-16, 25-17 victory—the Lady Chiefs’ third straight—in Season 92 National Collegiate Athletic Association women’s volleyball action on Thursday at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan, Pasig.
Regine Arocha had a double-double of 12 points and 15 excellent digs, Carla Donato added 10 points and Sarah Verutiao made 19 excellent sets for the Lady Chiefs who took solo No. 2 spot with a 3-0 won-lost record.
“We just wanted to win badly against JRU,” Lady Chief’s Coach Roberto Javier said. “I got shocked that they lost their game. They had a great performance in their last match against San Sebastian in five sets. We saw that they had good blockings.”
JRU gave San Sebastian a scare in their previous match and that near upset was expected to give the Lady Bombers momentum. But it didn’t with their ace, Dolly Verzosa, failing to get her rhythm.
“ I told my players to lock in on Verzosa so before she could get in front and she would get tired from passing,” Javier said.
Verzosa was held to only eight points out of 37 attempts—she also made 11 excellent digs and nine excellent receptions, with Renesa Melgarscoring five points and four excellent for JRU which dropped to 1-2.
College of St. Benilde, meanwhile, swept Emilio Aguinaldo College, 25-20, 25-21, 25-17, to also stay unbeaten in four matches.
Klarisa Abriam topscored with 16 points, Michelle Gamit chipped 11 points and Arianne Daguil had 11 excellent digs and five excellent receptions for the Lady Blazers who experimented with several combinations on the court.
Jewel Lai also rose to the occasion with 19 excellent.
“Right now we are all trying to be aggressive, and every player needs to be involved—no one gets benched in the team,” Lady Blazers physical therapist Charmaine Geronimo, who spoke in behalf of head coach Jerry Yee.
Krizzia Reyes paced the Lady Generals (0-4) with 13 points, while Jan Cabrera added five points, Catherine Alamazan made nine excellent sets and Anne Formento finished with four excellent digs and six excellent sets.