Arellano Lady Chiefs. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Arellano moved on the cusp of a second title in three years, after stunning San Sebastian, 18-25, 25-16, 25-11, 26-28, 15-13 Friday night in the 92nd NCAA women’s volleyball competition at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
On the day San Sebastian star Grethcel Soltones bagged a historic third straight Most Valuable Player award, the Lady Chiefs inched closer to completing an incredible turnaround, while sending the once thrice-to-beat Lady Stags to the brink of a stunning championship collapse.
Unlike the series opener, which it handily won in straight sets, Arellano proved equal to San Sebastian’s best shots and mustered enough strength to hold off San Sebastian in a thrilling fifth set.
The Lady Chiefs pounced on a surprising lethargic Lady Stags, 25-18, 25-20, 25-16, in the series opener last Tuesday. The loss snapped San Sebastian’s nine-game winning streak that gave the Lady Stags a thrice-to-beat advantage in the finals.
The Lady Chiefs leapt on the court in delight after Dangie Encarnacion sent a spike attack long, sealing the victory in two hours and four minutes. Regine Arocha’s off speed spike put Arellano at match point.
With the loss, the Lady Stags have no recourse but to win the next two games, starting in Game 3 on Tuesday at Philsports Arena.