Arellano Lady Chiefs turn back Altas, move closer to finals stint

MANILA, Philippines — Arellano University overcame a faulty start and turned back Perpetual Help, 18-25, 25-16, 25-19, 26-24, yesterday to step on the threshold of sweeping its way straight to the finals in the women’s division of the 94th NCAA volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

Nicole Ebuen pumped in a match-high 18 points including 12 on spikes and four on kill blocks as the Lady Chiefs booked their eighth straight win and moved one win closer to completing an elimination round sweep that will carry them to the best-of-three finals outright.

Regine Anne Arocha, last year’s Finals MVP, added 11 for AU, which is seeking a third straight title and fourth overall in the last five years.

AU will tackle San Beda, its finals opponent last season which is currently at second with a 7-1 (win-loss) slate, on Tuesday for a chance to accomplish the feat.

The Lady Altas, who were paced by Cindy Imbo’s 13 hits, absorbed their third defeat against four wins but stayed at No. 4 alongside the San Sebastian Lady Stags.

Perpetual Help will need to beat both SSC on Monday and Jose Rizal U (4-4) next week to reach the Final Four.

In a non-bearing game earlier, Letran outlasted Mapua, 14-25, 26-24, 23-25, 25-17, 15-13, to improve to 2-6.

In juniors’ action, Letran trounced Mapua, 25-18, 25-19, 25-22, to stay at third spot with a 6-2 record.

In men’s play, Letran completed a day sweep of Mapua with a 25-15, 25-22, 25-20 rout.

Both the Knights and Cardinals were 2-6.