Lyceum's Dolorito, Arellano's Sinuto named NCAA volleyball week's best

MANILA, Philippines – Lyceum of the Philippines University and Arellano University are on a roll in the NCAA Season 99 volleyball tournaments, thanks to the heroics of two rising players as both squads extended their streaks to climb the ladder in the second week of play.

Junior spiker Johna Dolorito of Lyceum and sophomore star Jiwen Sinuto of Arellano steered the wheel for the Lady Pirates and the Chiefs, earning themselves the distinctions as the Collegiate Press Corps’ NCAA Players of the Week presented by the San Miguel Corporation for the period April 16-21.

Dolorito, the high-flying outside hitter, displayed her attacking prowess with 20 points in the Lady Pirates’ 25-15, 22-25, 25-11, 27-25 win over the Lady Chiefs last Tuesday.

She then followed it up with a double-double showing of 19 markers laced by 17 excellent receptions as Lyceum bested the Perpetual Lady ALTAs last Saturday, 25-21, 24-26, 18-25, 25-22, 15-11, to remain unscathed with a 4-0 slate.

Together with the core of Jaja Tulang, Joan Doguna, and Venice Puzon, the Lady Pirates thus far are proving their finals appearance last season is no fluke, sailing steadily to the solo second place just behind reigning champion St. Benilde (5-0).

In the men’s side, Sinuto stamped his class to help the Chiefs take their fourth consecutive win since losing their season opener against Colegio de San Juan de Letran.

Sinuto, 21, was in his element to carry the Chiefs to three big victories against slumping LPU, erstwhile undefeated San Beda, and powerhouse San Sebastian.

The 6-foot-1 open spiker dropped 14 points in their 25-19, 25-10, 25-19 sweep win against LPU and churned out 15 markers and 10 receptions as the Chiefs stunned the Stags with a clean 25-23, 25-20, 25-22 win.

But his biggest game came against the Red Spikers, erupting for 26 points that allowed Arellano to put a dent in San Beda's perfect record and emerging as the second-best spiker in the league so far behind reigning MVP Louie Ramirez of Perpetual.

The red-hot Chiefs thus claimed solo third spot with a 4-1 record, trailing the league-leading Perpetual and EAC with both 4-0 slates.

Dolorito edged out Pau De Guzman of Arellano and Wielyn Estoque of St. Benilde while Sinuto bested Ervin Osabel of EAC and Ramirez for the weekly award supported by minor sponsors Discovery Suites and Jockey.