Lady Chiefs rout Lady Altas to extend Finals series

Arellano’s CJ Rosario atoned for her sub-par Game 1 outing with 13 points. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Arellano rebounded with a resounding 25-21, 25-22, 25-6 drubbing of defending champion Perpetual Help to extend their NCAA Season 89 women’s volleyball Finals series Monday at the Arena in San Juan.

The Lady Chiefs gutted out a tough second set before pounding the Lady Altas early in the third set en route to their dominant victory that arranged a winner-take-all Game 3 on Thursday.

“I thought Perpetual Help gave up in the third set because of what happened in the second set where they led and we were able to come back,” said Arellano head coach Obet Javier in Filipino. “That’s why their morale during that third set took a dip.”

CJ Rosario, the league’s Best Attacker, strut her stuff with 13 points, which included nine spikes and three blocks for the Lady Chiefs, who are aiming for their first title since joining the NCAA in 2009.

Newly minted MVP Honey Royse Tubino was the lone bright spot for the Lady Altas, who drew futile support from their other hitters, Norie Diaz and Jam Suyat.

Diaz only had nine points while Suyat was held to measly five hits.

“I just told my players they’re giving this to us so we need to grab the opportunity.”