Arellano flexes champion’s muscles, whips San Beda

Ranged against a squad that was also unbeaten, Arellano finally flashed the kind of game that reminded everyone who the defending champion in the 95th NCAA women’s volleyball tournament is.

And with that came a similar reminder from Necole Ebuen: She is the NCAA’s reigning MVP.

Arellano whipped San Beda, 25-20, 25-21, 25-22, at Filoil Flying V Centre with Ebuen finishing strong for the Lady Chiefs.

She finished with 12 points to back Regine Arocha, who had 18 points, including three service aces and two blocks, and 15 digs.

More importantly, she helped ice a game for a team that its coach had previously criticized for letting its guard down too often.

“I need to bring back my game because my team needs me,” Ebuen said in Filipino.

“We cannot keep relying on Regine. All of us have to contribute,” Ebuen said after a breakout game.

“I need to bring by old game back,” added last season’s MVP, who broke the game’s last deadlock at 22 with a kill before thwarting San Beda star Nieza Viray with a kill-block to ice the victory.

The Lady Red Spikers lost for the first time after opening the season with three straight wins.

Cesca Racraquin had 16 points and 16 digs while Viray added 14 markers and nine receptions for San Beda.

Meanwhile, Jeffrey Losa had 18 points, 15 digs and 23 receptions as San Beda improved to 3-1 while dealing Arellano its first loss after four straight wins in the men’s division, 25-15, 25-19, 23-25, 25-16.

The Braves topped the Junior Red Spikers, 25-15, 25-19, 25-22, to remain perfect in five matches.

Perpetual Help moved up to solo third after a 25-19, 25-20, 25-20 win over Jose Rizal in the other game.

Jhona Rosal had two blocks to finish with 15 points and collected 13 digs, Shyra Umandal also had two blocks to for a 10-point effort while Yanca Tripoli scored nine points, including two aces for the Lady Altas.

Perpetual continued its rise from a season-opening loss to College of Saint Benilde as it now sports a 4-1 mark.

“We’re satisfied but we cannot be contented because we play Arellano on Wednesday,” Perpetual coach Macky Cariño said.

The Lady Bombers, with Dolly Verzosa leading the way with 13 points, fell to 1-4.