Arellano Lady Chiefs. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Arellano moved three sets away from capturing the NCAA Season 92 women’s volleyball title after outlasting San Sebastian, 8-25, 25-16, 25-11, 26-28, 15-13, in the second game of the final round Friday at San Juan Arena.
The Lady Chiefs neutralized the Lady Stags’ thrice-to-beat advantage in the Finals by winning twice in a row.
Now holding the win-once advantage, the Lady Chiefs could wrap it up on Tuesday in Game 3 at the same venue.
READ: Lady Stags played like there’s no title at stake, says Gorayeb
Dangie Encarnacion had the misfortune of handing the victory to the Lady Chiefs when her last ditch attack went long, putting Arellano in prime position to take the title.
Arellano head coach Obet Javier said they had to make up for the pedestrian play of star opposite hitter Jovielyn Prado, who labored for her 13 points.
“We can see that she was really rattled, fortunately for us the game still went our way,” said Javier. “She committed too many errors, both on the offensive and defensive ends, and if we look at it most of the opponents’ points were from her attempts.”
READ: Lady Chiefs take game 1
Prado tied the fifth set at 12-12 but she immediately followed it up with a miscue to give San Sebastian a 13-12 lead.
It was Regine Arocha, who finished with seven points, who came alive in the clutch for Arellano as she punched through the Lady Chiefs’ 14th point in the fifth set.
Rialen Sante paced Arellano with 15 points while Grethcel Soltones had a game-high 26 points to lead San Sebastian.