Arellano University head coach Obet Javier needed just one spark to fend off a valiant effort by Jose Rizal University in their do-or-die stepladder semis on Sunday.
With starting open hitter Cess Bello struggling, Arellano fielded seldom-used Pauline De Guzman as they tried to find answers against the Lady Bombers.
Luckily for the three-time defending champions, De Guzman delivered, pouring in a team-high 19 points to steer Arellano to the comeback win.
“Nung simula pa lang, sabi ko '‘di ‘to lulusot' kasi mukhang pinaghandaan talaga nila [si Cess Bello],” Javier shared following their 19-25, 25-20, 27-25, 25-17 victory.
“So ito namang si Pau, nung nag-start pa lang kami mag-training, siya talaga pinakaangat sa lahat ng spikers.”
Javier shared De Guzman was actually a dominant force during their off-season preparation but was forced to sit on the bench for most of the season due to an injury.
When they were preparing for JRU, though, the sophomore De Guzman finally found her touch and gained Javier’s trust.
“Nagkaron lang siya ng foot injury and medyo natagalan maka-recover,” he shared.
“Pero nung nagkaro’n kami ng pagkakataon na mag-train para sa stepladder na ito, ayun gumanda naman performance.”
—JMB, GMA News
