MANILA – Arellano University Lady Chiefs made a return trip to the finals after a 25-18, 25-21, 25-23 win over San Beda University Lady Red Spikers in the NCAA Season 94 women’s volleyball semifinals on Tuesday at San Juan Arena.
Regine Arocha led the way with 17 points, including 13 attacks, while Alyana San Gregorio, Necole Ebuen and Carla Donato scored 11 markers each for the two-time defending champions Lady Chiefs.
The Grand Slam-seeking Lady Chiefs will be battling either College of St. Benilde Lady Blazers or University of Perpetual Help Lady Altas in the best-of-three championship series on Feb. 1.
The Lady Blazers-Lady Altas Final Four series was stretched to a do-or-die game following the latter’s 25-23, 25-21, 20-25, 25-23 over the no.1 seed Lady Blazers on Tuesday night.
After handily winning the first two sets, the Lady Chiefs struggled in the third frame and trailed 15-20 before Arocha spearheaded a 6-0 scoring run to give the Lady Chiefs a 21-20 lead.
The Lady Red Spikers responded with consecutive points to regain a 23-22 advantage but an off-the-block hit by Arocha and back-to-back hits from San Gregorio and Ebuen surged the Lady Chiefs ahead for good.
“Nagulat kami nung natalo kami ng San Beda noong eliminations kaya nagkaroon talaga kami ng adjustment sa semis,” said Lady Chiefs head coach Obet Javier. “Talagang pinagpaguran namin ito sa practice.”
Nieza Viray finished with 17 points while Franchesca Racraquin got 11 to lead the Lady Red Spikers./PN
