Arellano University flexed its depth against San Beda University, pulling off a 22-25, 19-25, 26-24, 25-17, 15-12 reverse sweep win in the NCAA Season 101 women's volleyball on Tuesday at the EAC Gym.
The Lady Chiefs played without key players Crisanta Servidad and Laika Tudlasan, but the rest of the squad picked up the slack to shock the Lady Red Spikers in a grueling two-hour and 48-minute clash.
Arellano showed collective effort in the win with Sam Tiratira pour in in 15 points built on seven blocks while Cassey Florida and Moming Padillon each posted 14 markers. Kheisha Abitria chipped in 11 markers as Fhaye Mangubat chimed in with eight.
The crucial victory helped Arellano climb to 5-6 in Group B, improving its chances of booking an outright quarterfinals spot, while San Beda absorbed only their third loss of the season so far to go 9-3.
San Beda appeared headed for a sweep as the Mendiola crew mounted a rally in Set 3, erasing an early five-point deficit to knot the score at 24-all. But the Lady Chiefs held them off with Abitria closing it out to force Set 4.
Arellano unleashed a similar strong start in the fourth frame with a 16-10 lead, but the Lady Chiefs made sure San Beda won't catch up this time to drag the Lady Red Spikers to a deciding frame.
Arellano and San Beda traded points to keep the game close, but two consecutive errors from the Lady Red Spikers saw the Lady Chiefs breaking an 11-all deadlock and taking a two-point advantage.
Heart Villaflores then rose from the left wing to hammer down the match point, and a net touch violation against Angel Habacon put the finishing touches on Arellano’s victory.
Habacon was a force for San Beda despite the loss, regitering 21 points, 10 receptions, and seven digs while Janelle Bachar put together 19 markers.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
