NCAA volleyball: Lady Chiefs drop a set, but improve to 4-0

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Defending champion Arellano University got an unexpected but much-needed wakeup call in the second set but still fended off Jose Rizal University, 25-11, 22-25, 25-18, 25-16, in the NCAA Season 93 women’s volleyball tournament Tuesday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Regine Arocha fired 20 points, including a kill that ended a long rally and snuffed out JRU’s hopes of a comeback with Arellano extending its lead to seven, 21-14.

Lady Chiefs coach Obet Javier said he was happy with the win but didn’t like that his team played inconsistently that cost itself a set.

“I’m glad we won but at the same time, it’s sad that the players relaxed after dominating the first set,” Javier told reporters after his squad rose to 4-0.

It marked the first time Arellano lost a set this season.

The Lady Chiefs regrouped in the third set behind the playmaking of Rhea Ramirez and the offensive prowess of Arocha and Jovielyn Prado.

They also got a tongue-lashing from Javier that knocked some sense into them.

“I made them realize that they can’t fool around against JRU because we all know what they can do,” Javier said. “I got angry just to wake them up.”

Arellano trailed big in the second set, 22-13, before mounting a rally that just came up short.

Prado had 17 points while Ramirez dished out 45 excellent sets. Arocha also tallied five service aces.

Shola Alvarez scored a team-high 19 points but was held in check in the last two sets. The Lady Bombers fell to 2-2.