Final Four-bound Arellano ended its elimination round campaign with a hard-fought 19-25, 36-34, 25-16, 25-21 victory over San Sebastián in the NCAA Season 93 women’s volleyball tournament Thursday at Filoil Flying V Centre.
The defending champions finished the eliminations with an 8-1 record and a twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals while the Lady Stags reeled to 5-4 with their Final 4 hopes in limbo.
San Sebastian needs Jose Rizal University and University of Perpetual Help to lose to have a chance at the semifinals.
The Lady Chiefs reasserted their mastery over last year’s runner up, but needed a strong finish to put away the Lady Stags.
They built a respectable 21-18 lead after a quick hit from Mary Anne Esguerra, but San Sebastián managed to cut the deficit to 21-20 behind Dangie Encarnacion’s attack.
Regine Arocha retaliated for the Lady Chiefs and scored on back-to-back hits to put Arellano in the 24-20 match point before Andrea Marzan finished it off with a quick kill.
Jovielyn Prado had a team-high 17 points to lead Arellano while Arocha added 16 points.
Esguerra added 15 points to Arellano’s cause while Necole Ebuen and Marzan finished with 14 and 13 points, respectively.
Nikka Dalisay led all scorers with 23 points for the Lady Stags.