By Kristel Satumbaga
Forced to the limit in Game 1, the Arellano University Lady Chiefs worked for three surprisingly easy sets this time to retain their women’s title in the NCAA volleyball tournament via a two-game sweep yesterday at The Arena in San Juan City.
Except in the second frame where they needed five match points, the Lady Chiefs proved superior in almost all departments as they romped to a 25-13, 29-27, 25-15 win over the San Beda Lady Lions for third title since 2015 – thanks to Regine Arocha and Jovielyn Prado.
Arocha, who was named Finals MVP, finished with 15 points – the same output of Prado as the Lady Chiefs dominated the game with 47 attacks against 27 for the Lady Lions and had more blocks, 9-4.
The duo also had a combined 26 kills while the Arocha-Cherry Buemia tandem collected 29 digs.
They won in Game 1 last Saturday, 25-15, 25-16, 15-25, 22-25, 15-6.
Meantime, University of Perpetual Help denied Arellano University of a grand championship sweep by pulling off a thrilling 26-24, 25-20, 23-25, 25-16 win in Game 2 and forcing a knockout match in the men’s finals.
Putting behind a stinging defeat in Game 1 that ended a 9-game winning streak, the Altas took the initiative early by winning the first two frames through the thunder-like spikes of Ridzuan Muhali and Rookie-Most Valuable winner Joebert Almodiel.
Their supporters, however, turned edgy in the third after committing numerous turnovers which the Chiefs exploited to breathe life to their title bid.
But thanks to brilliant offensive forays of Muhali and Almodiel, the team regrouped and delivered the key points in the fourth to win the match and even their best-of-three title series at 1-1. Game 3 is on Thursday.