MANILA, Philippines - Arellano University held off defending champion Perpetual Help, 17-25, 27-25, 29-27, 25-23, yesterday to move a step closer to a return trip to the finals in the 90th NCAA women’s volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City yesterday.
Power-hitting Danna Henson and Menchie Tubiera unleashed 17 and 16 markers, respectively, including key hits in the last three sets as the Lady Chiefs pulled off the come-from-behind win, their second in the semis.
The Lady Chiefs go for the finals berth against the College of St. Benilde Lady Blazers (1-1) on Monday.
The best-of-three finals, meanwhile, has been reset to Jan. 21 due to the Papal visit.
The win likewise stretched Arellano’s win run to 11, including nine in the elims.
Perpetual Help, which dropped a stinging 24-26, 22-25, 18-25 setback to St. Benilde last Monday, fell to 0-2 and in danger of missing the finals.
The Las Piñas-based squad, however, hopes to beat San Sebastian and pray for a St. Benilde loss to Arellano on Monday to stay in the hunt.
The Lady Stags pulled the rug from under Lady Blazers, 25-22, 25-21, 26-24, in the other semis encounter.
Another win by SSC, this time against Arellano, will send the Lady Stags to the finals against the Lady Chiefs.
“We need to always pray with urgency, show high intensity each game. If we will show that kind of attitude, we have a chance to win,” said San Sebastian coach Roger Gorayeb.