TITLEHOLDER Arellano University seeks to join unbeaten College of Saint Benilde in the Final Four as it tangles with dangerous Emilio Aguinaldo College today in the NCAA women’s volleyball tournament at the Paco Arena.

Before playing the Lady Blazers on Saturday, coach Obet Javier wanted his Lady Chiefs to focus first on the Lady Generals in the 2:30 p.m. match.

Eliminated in Final Four contention after absorbing five straight losses, EAC won back-to-back matches to move out of the cellar.

With nothing to lose but everything to gain, those victories definitely motivated the Lady Generals, who are aiming to end the season strong.

“Hindi natin puwedeng i-underestimate ang EAC. Paghahandaan namin sila, dahil knowing coach Rod (Palmero), hindi sila bibigay sa laban,” said Javier after his troops beat University of Perpetual Help System Dalta, 25-12, 25-13, 25-23 last Saturday.

Sporting a 6-1 record, a win by Arellano will not only secure itself of a Final Four slot but also inch closer of claiming twice-to-beat bonus, which the Legarda-based side will achieve if it beats CSB this weekend.

The Lady Blazers, perfect in seven matches, are two victories away from jumping straight to the Finals and make the Final Four a step-ladder one, which the Lady Chiefs wanted to avoid – especially with the second-ranked team losing the twice-to-beat incentive in that format.

The Lady Generals may have jelled too late, but Palmero liked what he saw on his team in the past two matches.

“Masaya kami para kanila kahit huli na,” said Palmero after last Saturday’s 17-25, 26-24, 25-21, 25-17 victory over Letran.

“Pero nagpe-prepare na rin naman kami for next season. Ganoon ang ginagawa ko sa kanila ngayon,” he added.

Krizzia Reyes, who now leads the league in scoring, and Cathrine Almazan has been producing big numbers as of late for EAC

San Sebastian, sitting in third place with a 4-2 card, presses its Final Four drive as it clashes with San Beda at 12 noon.

Having won their last two matches after a 0-4 start, the Lady Red Spikers cannot afford to drop games if they want to make it to the next round.

Games today

(Paco Arena)
12 noon – SSC-R vs San Beda
2:30 p.m. – EAC vs Arellano