The second week of the NCAA Season 100 volleyball second round eliminations exploded with a bang and Gia Maquilang of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran along with Arellano University’s Adrian Villados stood at the center of it all.
Maquilang's steady two-way play allowed the Letran Lady Knights to continue their winning ways and further secure their Final Four hopes with wins against Emilio Aguinaldo College and Lyceum of the Philippines University, respectively.
Villados, on the other hand, showed leadership and composure in the Arellano Chiefs' victories over San Beda University and Jose Rizal University, ending their week undefeated.
With this, the two standouts were named the Collegiate Press Corps NCAA Players of the Week for the period April 29 to May 4 for their outstanding performances in the women's and men's divisions.
Maquilang, the 21-year-old outside hitter, scored a team-high 14 points and caught 10 excellent digs to help the team take down EAC Lady Generals in straight sets, 25-21, 25-20, 25-18, on April 29.
She delivered once more three days later, scoring 17 points from 15 attack and 2 blocks plus eight excellent receptions in another straight sets victory over LPU Lady Pirates, 25-22, 25-17, 25-23 as Lady Knights stand tall at the top of the standings with 11-2 win-loss record.
“Siguro ‘yung sistema namin, parang ino-observe ko muna kung ano ‘yung galaw ng team ko,” told Maquilang, last season's Freshman of the Year.
“Pinapanood ko muna kung anong galaw na dapat kong galawin if ever na ipasok ako ni Coach (Oliver Almadro)… ako ‘yung magfi-fill in sa gap na ‘yun,” said the reliable sophomore hitter.
Maquilang edged out Arellano's Laika Tudlasan, Zam Nolasco of College of Saint Benilde, and Freighanne Garcia of Mapua University for the weekly recognition.
In the men’s division, team captain Villados provided his leadership and skills, spearheading Arellano to two consecutive victories this week.
On April 30, the two-time NCAA Best Setter helped his team to a straight-sets win over San Beda, 25-17, 25-19, 25-23, tossing 21 excellent sets plus two points.
He, then, dished out 21 excellent sets and 6 points in another sweep against JRU, 25-22, 25-22, 25-22 last Saturday where five of his teammates scored in double digits.
“Masaya naman po sa mga past games namin kasi po nakakakuha kami ng panalo and nakikita din po ‘yung result ng sacrifices namin sa training,” Villados said.
“Na-momotivate po ako sa mga ka-team ko kasi po nandiyan din po ‘yung eagerness nilang manalo kahit na ang mga teams po ngayon sa NCAA men’s lahat po competitive, kaya every training all-out po kami and lagi po naming iniisip na every game is important,” he added as Arellano improved to a 9-4 record.
Villados bested Barbie San Andres of Mapúa, Benilde's Rocky Motol, Letran’s Vince Himzon, and Anfernee Curamen of Arellano for the weekly recognition being deliberated and voted upon by print and online media covering the collegiate beat.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
