Youngster Laika Tudlasan was sensational in her debut, steering former champion Arellano University to a 25-18, 25-20, 25-23 victory over Jose Rizal University in the NCAA Season 98 women’s volleyball tournament on Saturday.
The rookie star immediately made her impact felt, nailing three straight points capped off by a service ace to send the Lady Chiefs to a 24-17 cushion.
Tudlasan’s presence filled the void left by former Arellano spiker Princess Bello who has graduated.
But it wasn’t just a Tudlasan show as some key players showed up for Arellano in the second set with the likes of middle blocker Dodee Risa Batindaan and Pauline de Guzman chipping significant contributions as they took a 2-0 set lead.
Tudlasan then finished what she started, drilling two consecutive aces and a backrow attack to give Arellano a 12-6 cushion.
Tudlasan’s off-the-block hit followed by a win on a joust by Batindaan brought Arellano to a 20-18 lead but the Lady Bombers took the lead, 22-21. Another strong kill from Tudlasan on the open side proved crucial for the Lady Chiefs.
Tudlasan finished with 23 points on 18 attacks and five aces to lead the squad while Marianne Padillon chipped in 10. Batindaan collected eight markers as Arellano got their new campaign on the right tone.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
