V-League: Arellano Lady Chiefs begin campaign with win over SWU Lady Cobras 

The Arellano Lady Chiefs started their Shakey’s V-League campaign with a three-set sweep against the Southwestern University Lady Cobras, 25-15, 25-17 and 25-19, Thursday at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The Lady Chiefs had early control of the first set care of Danna Henson’s ability to score from the front-row. With a variety of down-the-line spikes and cross-court winners, Henson propelled her squad ahead early, 16-10. Coupled with SWU’s miscommunication among each other and lofty receptions, Arellano increased their lead to 23-13. They then grabbed the opening set via a convincing 25-15 beating.

SWU kicked off the second set with a better pace, taking an early three-point advantage at 7-4. Marlyn Llagoso’s presence from the front-row provided her team with a defensive presence that gave the Lady Cobras the short-lived lead.

Henson however continued to score for the Lady Chiefs as back–to-back service aces helped her team sneak claim an 8-7 advantage by the first technical timeout. With the relentless attacking of Cristine Joy Rosario and Menchi Tubiera, the Lady Chiefs comfortably increased their lead to four by the second technical timeout at 16-12. The second set saw a similar fate as the first as Henson finished with a cross-court point at 25-17.

SWU still struggled come the third set, despite Llagroso’s crafty ability to force her attacks through against the Arellano defenders. The Lady Cobra’s unforced errors and constant miscues on the court though, opened the opportunity for Arellano to pull-away with the comfortable lead.

With Rosario’s well-placed tips and easy free-ball killers, the Lady Chief’s tallied a 16-10 lead by the technical timeout. Arellano finished the set and the match with a Jeramie Valencia spike that pierce through the blockers, 25-19.

11 of the 14 players in Arellano’s lineup managed to contribute at least a single point in the match. This can be attributed to their setter, Angelica Legacion, who lined up 26 excellent sets that ignited their offense. Danna Henson led her team with 13 points, followed by Cristine Joy Rosario’s 12.

SWU struggled to score points. Their best offensive player, Marlyn Llagroso, finished with just eight makers.

The Lady Chief’s outperformed the Lady Cobras in the attack column with a 49-22 differential on points won via spikes.  - AMD, GMA News