DEFENDING champion Arellano University seemed to have found an able replacement for setter Sarah Verutiao in rookie Kristine Adante.
With Adante orchestrating the offense, the Lady Chiefs dodged the upset axe wielded by San Beda University, pulling off a 27-29, 25-19, 25-21, 25-15 victory yesterday for their second straight win and the early solo lead in the 97th NCAA women’s volleyball tournament at the Paco Arena.
Trina Abay fired 15 points for Arellano, while team captain Carla Donato and Nicole Sasuman added 11 and 10 markers, respectively.
Adante had 21 excellent sets and finished with seven points for the Lady Chiefs, who scored a big follow-up to their 25-14, 25-12, 25-21 thumping of Mapua University four days ago and rose to 2-0.
The Lady Red Spikers failed to atone for their 25-10, 25-13, 25-15 loss to College of St. Benilde last Saturday and dropped to 0-2.
In the first match, Jose Rizal University trounced Letran 13-25, 25-22, 25-17, 25-17.
Sydney Niegos finished with team-high 11 points for the Lady Bombers, while Renesa Melgar 10 markers and 13 digs. Libero Marianne Alona contributed 19 digs and five excellent receptions.
“Sobrang happy ako, at last lumabas iyong galaw nila. Iyong first (set) lang medyo kinakabahan pa sila kasi first game nga this pandemic,” JRU strategist Mia Tioseco said.
“Pero at least, nakita na kung ano ang ginagawa nila sa training, nagagawa nila ngayon.”
Shereena Urmeneta and Chamberlaine Cunada led the Lady Knights with 13 and 12 points, respectively.
“Kahapon pa kasi sa practice, hindi maganda ang result ng practice. Wala, talagang lahat naka-off. Buti na lang kahit papaano, nagawan pa ng paraan. Siguro kung hindi ako nagpalit ng tao, baka balikgtad ang result ngayon,” Arellano coach Obet Javier said.
“Kailangan ko talagang sumugal. Buti na lang maganda iyong hugot ko sa kanya (Adante), kahit papaano nag-perform naman. At least nakita ko na kapag wala iyong isa, may mahuhugot ako,” he added.
Patricia Mae Manalac led San Beda with 14 points, Maxine Joyce Tayag and Justine Lapid had 11 and 10, respectively. — Abby Toralba
