Arellano University breezed past Lyceum of the Philippines University, 25-16, 25-17, 25-11, last Sunday to streak to its fifth straight victory in the women’s division of the 93rd National Collegiate Athletic Association volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Rookie Necole Ebuen unleashed 11 points, while team captain Mary Ann Esguerra, Regine Anne Arocha and Andrea Marzan added 10 points each to help power the Lady Chiefs to the top of the standings while leaving behind the idle San Beda Lady Red Spikers, who are unbeaten in four matches.
The Lady Chiefs stepped up for Jovielyn Prado, who had a forgettable three-hit performance.
University of Perpetual Help, meanwhile, survived an error-marred effort as it trounced Jose Rizal, University, 25-21, 22-25, 25-14, 25-21, to remain at third spot.
Maria Lourdes Clemente paced the Lady Altas with 19 hits—14 on kills—and two on blocks, while Cindy Imbo chipped in 18 points as the Lady Altas improved to 4-1 (won-lost).
Perpetual Help Coach Macky Cariño, however, rued his team’s poor service.
“We really have to improve our service, which was really bad in the first two sets, especially in the second set,” said Cariño, whose team committed 35 errors, most on services. “If we can do that, we’ll have a strong chance this season.”
While Clemente and Imbo did much of the heavy work, Hershey Kate Llorente made the most out of her collegiate debut by finishing with seven points.
“I gave her [Llorente] an opportunity and I’m happy she made the most of it,” Cariño said.
The Lady Altas have little time to celebrate though, as they take in the Lady Chiefs next tomorrow.
“We have little time to prepare [for Arellano University] so we got to practice tonight [Sunday],” Cariño said.
Perpetual Help also found a way to slow down Shola Alvarez, who wound up with only 15 points after coming into the match averaging a league-high 22.
Rookie Dolly Grace Versoza stepped up when Alvarez struggled, unloading a career-best 21 points.
Perpetual Help waylaid Jose Rizal University, 25-17, 25-16, 25-20, to seize the solo lead in the men’s contest.
Image credits: Nonoy Lacza