Games today
(Paco Arena)
12 noon – EAC vs SSC-R
2:30 p.m. – Perpetual vs LPU

ARELLANO University made quick work of Mapua, 25-14, 25-12, 25-21, for a winning start in the NCAA women’s volleyball tournament at the Paco Arena yesterday.

“Siyempre maganda at nakabalik na tayo,” said coach Obet Javier, who on his 10 seasons with the Lady Chiefs has won four titles. “Kahit short lang ang preparation, kahit paano yung first game, nakuha namin.”

Gunning for a four-peat, Arellano is hoping to continue its pandemic-interrupted dynastic reign without main hitters Regine Arocha and Necole Ebuen and setter Sarah Verutiao.

“Panibagong challenge naman sa akin. Alam naman natin na napakaraming magagaling na team. Maganda itong season na ito, talagang challenging,” said Javier.

Definitely, the Lady Chiefs are up for the tough grind.

College of Saint Benilde, which went perfect in seven matches in 2020 before the league scrapped its Season 95 due to pandemic, made an early statement on its title aspirations with a 25-10, 25-13, 25-15 rout of San Beda.

Gayle Pascual had 10 points, Mycah Go had two blocks to finish with 10 points, Michelle Gamit fired two service aces to finish with nine points, while setter Cloanne Mondoñedo tossed in 16 excellent sets for the Lady Blazers.

Nicole Sasuman introduced herself as one of the Arellano’s main offensive weapons with 13 points, including three service aces.

“Actually isa siya sa maasahan namin ngayon. Kahit sa practice, maganda ang performance niya. Hindi ako nagulat. Alam ko handa yung bata,” said Javier on Sasuman.

Carla Donato, the new Lady Chiefs’ captain, had three blocks to finish with eight points while Princess Bello added seven points, including two service aces, to go with nine digs.

Assistant coach Jay Chua, who was filling in for head mentor Jerry Yee, who is currently in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand due to national team commitments, knows that CSB has a lot of things to improve on.

“Siguro yung pagpunta namin dito, ready na kami,. Ang tagal naming nag-antay for two years,” said Chua. “Siguro consistency na lang sa paglalaro. Kulang pa. Marami pang errors sa serve.”

Patricia Mañalac scored five points for the Lady Red Spikers, whose roster was severely decimated with the Cesca Racraquin, twins Ella and Iza Viray and setter Lynne Matias

Alyanna Ong had three blocks for a seven-point effort to lead the Lady Cardinals.

Despite the 28-month lay-off, the Lady Chiefs hardly missed a beat by dominating the first two sets.

Mapua briefly led 7-6 on a service ace from Raina Vergino early in the third set before Arellano imposed its will and took a 20-15 advantage.

For Javier, all of his players must contribute if the Lady Chiefs wanted to remain as queens.

“Hindi kami sumasandal sa isang tao lang. Team effort talaga so binibigyan namin ng oras ‘yung bawat player pagdating sa ensayo. Hindi kami naka-concentrate sa iisang tao,” said Javier.