ARELLANO University wore down stubborn Lyceum of the Philippines University, 25-23, 25-23, 25-20, on Wednesday to join unbeaten leader San Sebastian in the Final Four in the 92nd National Collegiate Athletic Association women’s volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan City.
Jovielyn Grace Prado scattered 12 hits built around 11 kills, while team captain Rialen Sante, Ma. Erica Calixto and Mary Anne Esguerra combined for 23 points to help the Lady Chiefs earn a spot in the semifinals.
Arellano University Head Coach Obet Javier credited their victory—their seventh in eight outings—to teamwork.
“When we lost our key players from last year, we made sure to focus on playing more as a team than rely on individual plays,” said Javier, who lost CJ Rosario and Danna Henson to graduation this season.
Javier said their focus now is to clinch the No. 2 spot in the Final Four.
“I told my players that let’s just let them get the top spot and concentrate on the No. 2 seed,” said Javier, whose team squares off with University of Perpetual Help in the final elimination-round playdate on January 25.
The Lady Pirates fell to 5-3.
In juniors’ play, Lyceum eked out a come-from-behind 22-25, 25-22, 18-25, 25-19, 15-13 win over Arellano University to move one win away from sweeping its way to the finals, where it will enjoy a thrice-to-beat advantage.
The Junior Pirates go for the sweep against the Staglets on January 23.