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BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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Friday, February 17, 2017
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ARELLANO University Lady Chiefs head coach Obet Javier does not believe in superstition, but he feels something supernatural came into play in their recent conquest in the NCAA season 92 women’s volleyball finals.
The Lady Chiefs headed into the finals as underdogs, with opponent San Sebastian College Lady Stags armed with a thrice-to-beat incentive. But Javier’s squad won three straight matches to clinch its second NCAA title.
“From the start of the finals, I knew my wife was there,” Javier said, referring to wife Amy Marie, an overseas worker who died of lung cancer more than a week ago.
“And I keep talking to her to help us and guide us because I know she wants us to win the championship again. I’m also thankful that my players kept telling me before the finals that they will dedicate the championship to her,” he added.
It was also the Lady Chiefs’ 12th straight victory in the season since opening its campaign with a tough five-set defeat to the Lady Stags.
“We used (that loss to Lady Stags in the elimination round) as a springboard to success,” Javier said. “The players showed heart and really worked hard to win this championship.”
“The school is proud of their accomplishment. The team’s hard work paid off,” said Peter Cayco, the Lady Chiefs’ representative to the Management Committee and the acting Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc. president.
While the Lady Stags had a hard time getting strong plays outside Gretchel Soltones, the Lady Chiefs played more like a team and drew strength from multiple sources headed by Rialen Sante, Andrea Marzan and Jovielyn Prado.
“Thankful to have been blessed like this,” said Prado, who was later adjudged the Finals MVP for leading the team in scoring in their three matches in the championship round.
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Rain or Shine Elasto Painters’ Chris Tiu and Beau Belga will infuse additional firepower to the Mighty Sports-Philippines when it competes in the Dubai International Basketball Championship on Feb. 17 to 25.
Part of the first Gilas Pilipinas team, Tiu will share minutes with fellow Ateneo Blue Eagles alumni Ilonggo Kiefer Ravena and two-time PBA MVP awardee Willie Miller. Belga, meanwhile, will add toughness in the shaded lane.
Mighty Sports Association president Dr. John Sy said he did not have a hard time tabbing Tiu and Belga after easily getting a green light from Painters co-owners Raymond Yu and Terry
Que.
“Mighty Sports will be playing in Dubai not only as a club team but will also represent our country so we are fully behind its quest for another glory,” said Yu. “As long as it is for our national interest, we’re going to help anyone.”
Mighty Sports is fast gaining international fame since its grand sweep of the Jones Cup in Taipei and a runner-up finish in the tough Merlion Cup in Singapore last year.
Also in the Mighty Sports lineup are former NBA center Hasheem Thabeet, Dominic McGuire, Justin Brownlee, JC Intal, Jeron Teng, Jerwin Gaco, Tyrone Tang, Anton Manuel, and Gary David.
Charles Tiu, younger brother of the Painters’ playmaker, will be assisted by Ilonggo Dolreich “Bo” Perasol, the veteran University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons tactician who engineered the Mighty Sports’ Jones Cup conquest./PN
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