ARELLANO University secured a seat in the semifinals of the 98th NCAA women's volleyball tournament as it edged erstwhile co-leader College of St. Benilde, 28-26, 25-22, 24-26, 19-25, 15-10, on Monday at The Arena in San Juan.
Menchie Tubiera came up with 21 points and Cristie Rosario chipped in 19 for the Lady Chiefs, who booked the first ticket to the Final Four.
After losing to San Beda in the season-opener, the Legarda-based squad went on a seven-match romp
"Masaya ako pero bago ang saya mahirap muna ang dinaanan namin," said Arellano coach Roberto Javier. "Ang Benilde kasi magaling na team yan."
The Lady Chiefs looked to seal the win after two close sets, but stalled as the Lady Blazers rallied behind Therese Veronas and Jannine Navarro in the third and fourth sets.
But St. Benilde could not control its errors and gave away 49 points in the entire game, including five from its service miscues in the fifth set.
"Bago ang game sinabi ko na sa kanila na kung gusto niyong manalo, pwede, kung gusto niyo matalo, pwede rin," said Javier. "We are not born as losers kaya dapat manalo tayo."
Veronas finished with 23 points, Navarro added 21 and Jeanette Panaga contributed 15 for the Lady Blazers, who dropped to a share of second with University of Perpetual Help at 6-2.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
