Arellano downs St. Benilde; UAAP partners with Sports Vision

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

The battle between current and past NCAA champions turned one-sided in favor of Arellano, which plastered St. Benilde, 25-20, 25-22, 25-17, Saturday at the start of the Premier Volleyball League Collegiate Conference at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Jovielyn Prado led the Lady Chiefs with 14 points in the rematch between semifinalists of last NCAA season’s tournament.

Mary Anne Esguerra added 13 points while Necole Ebuen and Reginal Arocha chipped in nine each.

Arellano coach Obet Javier said the Lady Chiefs’ experience in the Reinforced and Open Conferences of the league organized by Sports Vision is starting to bear fruit.

“I told them to use their PVL experience and help motivate their younger teammates,” said Javier.

Earlier, La Salle and UST hurdled their respective rivals in the men’s side of the season-ending conference.

The Green Spikers fought back from a set down to turn back the St. Benilde Blazers, 25-27, 26-24, 25-23, 25-22, while the Tigers dominated the UP Maroons, 25-17, 25-22, 25-15.

Meanwhile, junior volleyball gets a big shot in the arm as the UAAP and Sports Vision joined hands for the tournament that starts Sept. 9.

Unlike in previous seasons where the UAAP juniors competitions are held at school gyms, the girls’ and boys’ tournament will now be played at Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

“In our continuing effort to develop the sport, particularly our young players, we will provide them good playing conditions which will help raise the level of competition,” said Sports Vision president Moying Martelino.

The matches will be played in between the men’s and women’s games of the Collegiate Conference every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.