Arellano University moved a step closer to its first-ever crown after surviving Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 27-25, 25-14, 22-25, 25-22 in Game 1 of NCAA Season 100 men’s volleyball finals on Sunday at the Filoil Centre.
The surging Chiefs, who have now won their seventh game in a row, have a shot at history on Wednesday when they take on the Knights anew in Game 2 — where the school's maiden men's volleyball crown is up for grabs.
Two graduating players were at the forefront for the Chiefs with veteran outside spiker Carl Berdal sizzling with a team-high 19 points anchored on 17 attacks and two blocks together with four digs and 16 receptions to help Arellano draw first blood in the best-of-three affair.
Seasoned middle blocker Anfernee Curamen, meanwhile, chipped in 13 markers built on 10 attacks and three blocks while AC Guinto and Jake Pangilinan churned out 11 markers apiece. Jiwen Sinuto posted 13 markers of his own as five starters all breached double-digit marks.
But even with the win, the Chiefs aren't celebrating just yet until they complete the business.
"Maayos naman 'yung ginalaw namin at talagang mahirap manalo against Letran kasi very resilient din 'yung team nila," Arellano head coach Bryan Vitug told GMA News Online.
"Wala pang celebration or kung ano man kasi hindi pa naman tapos e. Marami pa kaming kailangang ayusin."
Arellano and Letran figured in a tight first set with Bembem Bautista tying things up at 25-all on a cross-court kill. But the Knights weren't able to put the clamps on Berdal, who punished Letran with back-to-back attacks to seal the opening frame.
Arellano built on that momentum and turned the game into a one-sided affair in Set 2 after capitalizing on Letran's nine errors to secure a dominant 25-14 win.
But the Knights refused to go down without putting up a fight, flaunting its depth with bench players Lorenz Vicente and Andrew Abeto sparking the rally as they took a 14-10 lead.
Arellano then answered with a 4-0 rampage that knotted the game at 14-all before Letran retaliated with a wild 9-2 turnaround that swung the lead back to the Knights at 23-16. Vince Himzon finished it off with a quick kill as they dragged the Chiefs to a fourth set.
Guinto then provided Arellano the finishing kick, converting four of the Chiefs' last six points to allow his team complete the four-set trick.
Himzon paced Letran with 18 points built on 15 attacks, two blocks, and one ace while Bautista came out with 16 markers and 24 receptions for a double-double outing.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
