Arellano University eyes a double celebration as its men’s and women’s teams try to finish off their respective foes in the 93rd NCAA volleyball tournament on Monday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
“We can’t afford to give them a chance to beat us,” said coach Obet Javier as his Lady Chiefs gun for a second straight women’s title and third overall.
The Lady Chiefs shoot for a finals sweep after turning back the San Beda Lady Red Spikers, 25-15, 25-16, 15-25, 22-25, 15-6, in Game 1.
Regine Anne Arocha and Jovielyn Grace Prado are expected to star anew in the 4 p.m. showdown after the duo led three other players who finished in double-figures.
In men’s action, the Chiefs also stunned the fancied Perpetual Help Altas, 12-25, 25-21, 19-25, 26-24, 15-9, to gain the upper hand in their best-of-three duel.
“I’ll just try to help the team win a championship,” said Christian dela Paz, who delivered 24 points in the opener.
The 20-year-old Dela Paz outshone Perpetual Help’s Joebert Almodiel, the newly awarded rookie MVP and Best Outside Spiker, who was held to eight hits in his first finals appearance in the NCAA.
Almodiel, a 20-year-old transferee from Southwestern University in Cebu, vowed to strike back strong.
“I felt the pressure. I hope to bounce back,” said Almodiel.
In the juniors’ division, defending champion Perpetual Help and Letran start their own best-of-three duel at 11 a.m.