NCAA Season 94: Arellano frustrates Perpetual
Credit to Author: Tempo Online| Date: Tue, 12 Feb 2019 17:00:23 +0000
by Kristel Satumbaga
There was no “triple crown” but there was a three-peat as Arellano University overpowered University of Perpetual Help in four sets to keep its NCAA women’s volleyball crown for the third straight year.
Cheered on loudly by Arellano supporters, Necole Ebuen produced numbers befitting her MVP status to help power the Lady Chiefs to a 22-25, 25-15, 25-18, 25-18 win over the Lady Altas in their rubber match yesterday at The Arena in San Juan City.
Arellano’s win not only cemented its reputation as one of the country’s premier volleyball schools but also denied Perpetual the silverware missing to complete a “triple crown”.
Arellano Lady Chiefs celebrate after winning the NCAA Volleyball Finals (MB photo | Rio Leonelle Deluvio)
Perpetual earlier won the juniors and men’s volleyball titles – feats that perhaps added pressure for the misfiring Lady Altas.
Despite taking Game 2 of their best-of-three series, the Lady Chiefs started tentatively, giving the Lady Altas the early initiative.
But Ebuen stepped up and the rest followed suit as Arellano won the next three sets to keep its title.
Ebuen was unstoppable at the attack line, firing on all angles including in the pivotal third set where Perpetual rallied from a 20-8 deficit to threaten at 23-17.
But the Lady Chiefs displayed their championship experience this time, showing composure against a squad known for mounting huge comebacks as they controlled the tempo for most parts of the fourth frame despite the Lady Altas’ persistent attempts.