Arellano trumps JRU, joins 2nd-place logjam in NCAA volleyball

Arellano Lady Chiefs vs JRU Lady Bombers. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Arellano created a logjam in the Final Four race of the NCAA Season 92 women’s volleyball tournament after brushing off Jose Rizal University 26-28, 25-6, 25-15, 25-20, Wednesday at San Juan Arena.

The Lady Chiefs, who are now at 5-1, joined Lyceum and defending champion College of St. Benilde at second seed behind undefeated leaders San Sebastian that hold a 6-0 slate.

Arellano head coach Roberto Javier rued his team’s close first set loss despite managing to bounce back big in the ensuing set.

“They realized their mistakes in the first set but even if we dominated JRU in the second, we still lost the first,” said Javier.

Arellano responded with a blistering offense in the second set with a crazy 25-6 output to leave behind a disappointing 26-28 spell.

Basically, if we can win the easy way, why make our lives harder?”

Jovielyn Prado led the way for the Lady Chiefs with 18 points while Rialen Sante had 15.

Mary Anne Esguerra and Regine Anne Arocha also finished in double digits with 13 and 10 points, respectively.

Shola Alvarez led the Lady Bombers, whose 2-5 record put them out of the Final Four picture, with 17 points while Rosalie Pepito added 14.