Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Arellano University made sure a new champion will be crowned in the NCAA Season 92 women’s volleyball tournament after a thrilling five-set win over erstwhile titlist College of St. Benilde, 19-25, 25-23, 19-25, 25-13, 15-9, Friday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Jovielyn Prado ended the Lady Blazers’ reign with a down-the-line kill as Arellano punched its ticket to the Finals and will meet unbeaten San Sebastian College, which enjoys a thrice-to-beat advantage after sweeping the nine-game elimination round.
Lady Chiefs head coach Obet Javier took advantage of the winded Lady Blazers in the fourth set and that period eventually set the downfall of CSB.
“Benilde’s fatigue can be factored in, and their errors eventually piled up and the good thing is we were able to grab that opportunity,” said Javier, whose team enjoyed 44 free points from the Lady Blazers.
“And I would also like to thank Benilde because we were able to show our team’s fortitude come situations like this.”
Arellano was actually at the disadvantage, numbers-wise, in the three major categories with Benilde getting a 48-46 advantage in spikes, 12-9 in blocks, and 11-4 in service aces.
Benilde’s 44 errors proved to be its bane while Arellano’s careful play resulted to just 24 miscues.
Prado paced the Lady Cheifs with 17 points while Regine Arocha had 16.
Jeanette Panaga paced the Lady Blazers with 22 points.