Games Today (The Arena, San Juan City)
9:30 a.m. – Letran vs Mapua (Men’s)
11 a.m. – Letran vs Mapua (Women’s)
12:30 p.m. – JRU vs SSCR (Men’s)
2 p.m. – JRU vs SSCR (Women’s)
Defending champion Arellano blasted Emilio Aguinaldo College, 25-19, 25-12, 25-11, yesterday to seize the early solo lead in the NCAA women’s volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.
Necole Ebuen, a rookie transferee from Letran, pumped in 15 points including 12 hits for the Lady Chiefs to follow up their 25-10, 25-17, 25-13 opening-day victory for a 2-0 win-loss card.
Veteran spiker Jovielyn Prado also helped with 12 points, even as Sarah Verutiao contributed 32 excellent sets as Arellano dealt EAC with its strong attacks and solid blocks.
So strong were the Lady Chiefs that none from the Lady Generals finished in twin figures with Aira Binondo managing only eight points and Yvette Tongco scoring five points.
Arellano took advantage of EAC’s weak defense by smashing 41 spikes including combined 23 attacks from Ebuen and Prado.
The Lady Generals’ 26 errors also contributed to their downfall.
“We can’t afford to mistakes in this kind of format so we have to get as many wins as we can,” said Arellano coach Obet Javier.
Earlier, University of Perpetual Help bared its fangs and edged Lyceum, 25-21, 25-17, 25-22, for its first win under new mentor Macky Cariño.
Meanwhile, Perpetual Help downed Lyceum, 25-18, 25-20, 25-13, to start its title retention campaign in the juniors division while its male counterparts, the Altas, edged the Lyceum Pirates, 25-19, 25-13, 25-18. (Kristel Satumbaga)