In their final act as part of the Arellano Chiefs, the graduating trio of Carl Berdal, Anfernee Curamen, and Adrian Villados delivered a performance worthy of a storybook ending.
The veterans spearheaded Arellano University's 24-26, 25-21, 25-15, 25-17 come-from-behind win against Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Game 2 to snag the school's historic breakthrough NCAA men's volleyball title.
Seasoned outside spiker Berdal picked up right where he left off in Game 1, exploding for 16 points and six digs in the clincher. Curamen stamped his class at the net with 12 markers, including three blocks, while battle-tested setter Villados orchestrated the offense with 24 excellent sets.
Together, the graduating trio capped their final dance with the ultimate prize: a championship trophy 16 years in the making.
"Sobrang saya, ‘di ko ma-explain. Walang words ang makaka-explain kung gaano ako kasaya ngayon kasi first time in history na mag-champion ang Arellano e," Curamen said.
Berdal added, "Sobrang saya kasi marami talaga kaming pinagdaanan and nagbunga lahat ng sakripisyo, hindi pagkakaunawaan sa team, away, tampuhan."
The three played crucial roles in Arellano's improbable title run.
Berdal, who had to overcome a knee injury late in Season 98 before making his way back in Season 99, was a consistent force for the Chiefs, amassing a total of 255 points in the elimination round before leaving it all out in the Final Four, where they had to hurdle a twice-to-beat Mapua University.
Curamen was also one of the pillars of Arellano's net defense, collecting 45 blocks in 18 games en route to a 186-point haul through the regular season.
And at the center of it all was Villados with the former Alas Pilipinas Men pool member anchoring the attack with his masterful playmaking instincts.
"Sobrang proud ako sa kanila (graduating player) kasi tinrabaho nila ‘to lalo na si Carl na galing sa injury tapos last season huli na siya bumalik pero ngayon pinush niya ‘yung sarili niya," Arellano head coach Bryan Vitug said.
As they bid farewell to Arellano, the trio is confident that the winning culture they’ve built in Legarda will live on.
In fact, the Game 2 showdown against the Knights was proof that the future of Arellano is in good hands with holdovers AC Guinto, Jiwen Sinuto, and Jake Pangilinan showing they can carry the torch forward.
Guinto top-scored with 17 points laced with 20 receptions while opposite spiker Sinuto chipped in 14 markers. Rising middle blocker Jake Pangilinan tallied 10 points, none bigger than the championship-clinching quick attack in the fourth set.
"Itong championship na nakuha namin, ito ‘yung nagpo-prove na kaya talaga ng Arellano, na makapasok sa finals, makakuha ng championship," Villados shared.
"And itong championship na ‘to makakapag-boost sa morale nu’ng mga maiiwan. Experience din ‘to para sa mga maiiwan. Positive kami na kaya pa rin nila next season kahit wala na kami."
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
