Arellano, Perpetual take NC opener

MANILA, Philippines — Arellano University dumped Emilio Aguinaldo, 25-19, 25-12, 25-11, to seize the solo lead even as Perpetual Help opened its title bid on a bright note with a 25-21, 25-17, 25-22 win over Lyceum of the Phl U yesterday in the women’s division of the 93rd NCAA volleyball tournament at the Filoil Arena in San Juan City.

Necole Ebuen, a rookie transferee from Letran, paced the Lady Chiefs with 15 points including 12 on kills while Jovelyn Prado scattered 12 hits to help power the Lady Chiefs to their second straight victory following their 25-10, 25-17, 25-13 bashing of the Mapua Lady Cardinals Thursday.

It was also AU’s 14th straight win including 12 in a row from last season when it won its last eight elimination-round games, the stepladder semis game against St. Benilde and a three-game sweep of San Sebastian in the finals.

“This is a short tournament so we can’t afford to commit mistakes because every game counts,” said AU coach Obet Javier.

The Lady Altas, for their part, bucked the absence of starting outside spiker Jhona Rosal and gave new coach Macky Carino, formerly of St. Benilde, a rousing debut.

Maria Lourdes Clemente, Cindy Imbo and Maria Aurora Blanca Tripoli fired 14, 13 and 10 points, respectively, while Jowie Albert Verzosa added seven that filled the void left by Rosal, who is out indefinitely because of an ovarian cyst.

“It was unfortunate that it happened and we hope she (Rosal) responds well to treatment and hopefully she can still play this season,” said Carino, who took over from now Perpetual Help athletic director Sammy Acaylar two months ago.

In other games, Perpetual Help bested LPU, 25-18, 25-20, 25-13, to set in motion its title-retention bid in the juniors’ division while also winning its game against LPU, 25-19, 25-13, 25-18, in the men’s side.