Lady Chiefs, Red Spikers rekindle rivalry

MANILA, Philippines — Arellano University and San Beda bring their NCAA rivalry to a bigger stage as the two face off for the solo lead in Group B in the Premier Volleyball League Collegiate Conference at the Filoil Arena in San Juan City Wednesday.

 

The Lady Chiefs, the reigning NCAA champions, downed the St. Benilde Lady Blazers, 25-20, 25-22, 25-17, while the Red Spikers turned back the Technological Institute of the Phl Lady Engineers, 25-13, 25-18, 25-27, 25-13, in their first games and the winner in their 4 p.m. duel will zoom to the top.

 

Jovielyn Prado and Mary Ann Esguerra paced their team with 14 and 13 points, respectively, while Regine Arocha and Andrea Marzan combined for 15 hits.

 

All four sharpened their skills playing for the Power Smashers.

 

Cesca Racraquin, who played for the Creamline Cool Smashers in the Reinforced and Open Conferences, have carried the offensive load by unloading 19 points including 17 on kills while Satrianni Espiritu and twins Maria Jiezela and Maria Nieza Viray had 15 and 10 for the Lionesses, who made it to the Final Four of the NCAA last season.

 

AU coach Obet Javier, who steered his team to NCAA championships last season and two years previous to that, said he expects a tough match.

 

“San Beda has always been strong and they have improved a lot so we expect our game to be difficult,” said Javier in Filipino.

 

Meanwhile, San Sebastian and Jose Rizal collide at 6:30 p.m. eyeing nothing less than a first triumph.

 

In men’s action, Ateneo and National U gun for a share of the lead with Santo Tomas as the two tackle on San Beda and Far Eastern U at 8 and 10 a.m., respectively.