MANILA, Philippines — Arellano University made sure it will not be denied a finals berth for the second time as it downed nemesis San Beda and hacked out a vengeful 25-18, 25-21, 25-23 victory yesterday to claim a spot in the championship round in the women’s division of the 94th NCAA volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.
Using their heartbreaking 25-16, 17-25, 19-25, 25-18, 14-16 defeat to the Lady Red Spikers last week as motivation, the Lady Chiefs played with more resolve this time and drew strength from Regine Arocha’s match-best 17-point performance in claiming the first spot in the best-of-three finale starting on Feb. 1.
AU will thus make its third straight finals appearance and a chance to snare a three-peat and fourth crown in the last five seasons.
“We were really stunned when we lost to San Beda,” said AU coach Obet Javier in Filpino. “But we learned from that game and used the whole week to prepare for this game and make the necessary adjustments.”
AU will tackle either the Perpetual Altas or Lady Blazers who figure in a knockout match in the semis next week.
Perpetual trounced St. Benilde, 25-23, 25-21, 2-25, 25-23, to remain in finals contention.
Cindy Imbo came out firing with a game-best 19 points as the fourth-seeded Lady Altas arranged a do-or-die showdown with the second-seeded Lady Blazers.
In men’s action, Emilio Aguinaldo shocked last year’s runner-up Arellano U, 24-26, 8-25, 25-20, 25-18, 21-19 in the first stepladder semifinal game.
Rookie Joshua Ramilo took the spotlight from the veterans and fired a match-high 23 points while Joshua Mina, one of the two remaining seniors this year, scattered 20 hits to help the Generals forge another knockout duel with the College of St. Benilde Blazers next week.