MANILA – Arellano University Lady Chiefs returned to their winning ways in the NCAA Season 97 women’s volleyball. It defeated 27-29, 25-20, 25-15, 25-18 Lyceum Lady Pirates on Tuesday at Paco Arena in Manila.
Bacolodnon Trina Marice Mondragon Abay tallied five blocks to end up with 16 markers as the three-time defending champions Lady Chiefs recovered from a defeat to improve to 3-1 slate.
Princess Bello also made her presence felt for the Lady Chiefs by pouring all her 15 markers on spikes, while Nicole Sasuman and Carla Donato chipped in 10 markers apiece.
After being stunned by the Lady Pirates in the opening set, the Lady Chiefs leaned on the solid distribution of setter KC Adante as the Lady Chiefs opened up an early five-point edge en route to winning the second set.
Clinging to an 18-14 lead in the third set, the Lady Chiefs relied on consecutive points by Abay and Sasuman for a 24-14 lead. Sasuman, though, committed a service error before Abay soared for a quick attack for the set win.
Arellano did not give Lyceum an opportunity to recover as the surged to a 16-10 advantage in the fourth set following a block by Abay. The Lady Pirates rallied to within 16-20 but Bello and Sasuman connived on offense to clinch the win for the Lady Chiefs.
Janeth Tulang finished the game with 19 points, Johna Dolorito added 11 markers, while Bacolodnon Jewel Maligmat and Zonxi Dahab had eight markers each as the Lady Pirates dropped to 2-2.
Meanwhile, University of Perpetual Help System Lady Altas (2-1) scored back-to-back victories following a 25-21, 25-17, 25-7 sweep over Emilio Aguinaldo College Lady Generals (0-3).
The Lady Altas was pushed to the limit by the Lady Generals in the first two sets before the former got the much-needed separation in each end sets as they cruised to a 2-0 set advantage.
Perpetual, however, asserted its dominance on EAC In the third frame as they established an insurmountable 17-4 advantage to take the fight away from the struggling Lady Generals.
Rizel Aldea spearheaded the attack with 12 points while Mary Rhose Dapol and Janine Padua contributed 11 and 10 markers, respectively, for the Lady Altas. Krizzia Reyes led the Lady Generals with 11 points./PN
