Emilio Aguinaldo College staged a comeback act as it repulsed Arellano University, 23-25, 26-24, 25-23, 25-23, to remain unbeaten in the NCAA Season 99 women's volleyball tournament on Friday at Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Jan Ruther Abor led the charge with 19 points anchored on 16 attacks, two aces, and one block white Ervin Osabel chipped in 15 markers as the Generals improved to 8-0 ahead of their all-important clash with fellow unbeaten Perpetual on Sunday with an outright finals berth at stake.
Down three in the crucial fourth set, 20-23, EAC mounted a fightback with the lefty Bryan Cabrera instigating the 5-0 closing run with an opposite kill.
Dearborn Saria then denied Anfernee Curamen on his running kill before Cabrera rejected Carl Berdal, who was inserted to the game after being on the reserve the past games, as EAC tied things up at 23-all.
Paul Say served up a strong service ace before another defensive rejection from their side prevented Berdal from forcing another deadlock en route to the four-set romp.
Say tallied 10 points off the bench alongside six digs and 21 receptions while Cabrera and team captain Kenneth Batiancila chimed in with seven and six markers apiece to step up for veteran Marvin Romero, who was limited to just one point.
AC Guinto and Jiwen Sinuto poured in 19 points each for the Chiefs while middle blocker Daniel Agovida churned out 10.
Arellano, who absorbed its third straight loss, fell to an even 4-4 card and will need to win its next match against JRU on Tuesday to improve its playoff chances.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
