ARELLANO University shoots for a sweep of both the men’s and women’s championship series of Season 93 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) volleyball action today at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
The Chiefs, who came from behind to score a 12-25, 25-21, 19-25, 26-24, 15-9, victory in Game One, go for the sweep against the outright finalists and erstwhile unbeaten University of Perpetual Help Altas in Game Two at 2 p.m.
The Lady Chiefs, who also went five sets opposite Finals first-timer San Beda, 25-15, 25-16, 15-25, 22-25, 15-6, try to complete their golden repeat and capture their third title in four years also in Game Two at 4 p.m.
Arellano University’s coaches—Sherwin Meneses (men) and Obet Javier (women)—are hoping to get the job done—but in cautious manner—in today’s matches that will be aired live on ABS-CBN Sports + Action Channel 23.
“It’s not yet over. Perpetual Help will definitely bounce back because they are always in the championship,” Meneses said. “But we will work hard to end it today.”
Expected to carry the fight anew for Meneses are Christian Dela Paz, the season’s Second Best Open Spiker who unloaded scattered 24 points in Game One, as well as Christian Segovia, Joseph Cabillan, Kevin Liberato, Roi Domingo and setter Edmark Meneses.
For Javier, he hopes that his wards—led by graduating spiker Jovielyn Prado, Regine Arocha, Necole Ebuen, Mary Anne Esguerra, Andrea Marzan and setter Rhea Ramirez—learned from their Game One miscues.
“Game One was a huge lesson for us. If we want to win, you don’t have to make it hard for yourself,” Javier said. “You should get it done fast but not to the point that you are in a hurry.”
“So what happened in Game One woke up my team. It should not happen in Game Two anymore,” he added.
Altas Head Coach Sammy Acaylar, meanwhile, doesn’t want their nine-game elimination sweep to turn meaningless.
“We had a lot of problems last Friday. But the most glaring part was our lack of fighting spirit,” Acaylar said. “Anyway, I trust my players that we can get through this. They showed it the whole season that’s why I am very confident that we can bounce back.”
For San Beda star Cesca Racraquin, the Lady Red Spikers should get the boost from Game One, which they didn’t hand to their opponents on a silver platter.
“Coach [Nemesio Gavino] told us that we should not be sad, we should not feel bad or cry because it’s not yet over and we still have a chance,” said Racraquin, who finished with 21 points with 23 receptions and 21 digs in Game One.