Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Arellano University completed a three-peat after rolling past University of Perpetual Help, 22-25, 25-15, 25-18, 25-18, in the rubber match of NCAA Season 94 women’s volleyball Finals Tuesday before a raucous crowd at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Reigning MVP Nicole Ebuen and Regine Arocha led the way for the Lady Chiefs, who foiled the Lady Altas’ bid to sweep this year’s volleyball tournament after ruling the men’s and juniors’ divisions.
“I have high respect for Perpetual because they really brought the best in us,” said Arellano head coach Obet Javier, whose squad came back in the championship series after dropping Game 1, in Filipino.
Blood, sweat and tears all worth it for the Lady Chiefs as they celebrate their 3rd NCAA volleyball crown in a row. #NCAAFinals pic.twitter.com/trdOfmMj8k
— Mark Giongco (@MarkGiongcoINQ) February 12, 2019
“Our loss in Game 1, was big for us because we learned how to recover and realized the things that we still need to do,” Javier added.
The Lady Chiefs have now won four titles in five seasons and they did it after going on a blistering run in the fourth set led by Arocha and Ebuen.
“All of what we do is for the school. This trophy is for the school,” Javier said.
Three-peat for Arellano University Lady Chiefs! #NCAAFinals pic.twitter.com/kCuwUpLDJX
— Mark Giongco (@MarkGiongcoINQ) February 12, 2019
Down 11-13, Arellano scored 11 unanswered points capped off by an Ebuen kill that took the fight out of Perpetual Help.
Arocha, who took home the Finals MVP plum for the second consecutive time, fired a game-high 16 points, Princess Bello had 12 points and 18 digs while Ebuen added 11.
Cindy Imbo paced the Lady Altas with 12 points in her final collegiate game.