The Arellano University Lady Chiefs are out to complete their bid for a four-peat championship run as NCAA Season 97 returns with the women's volleyball tournament on June 11.
The Lady Chiefs were on their way to defending their title last Season 95 but their campaign was terminated following the league's decision to cancel the competition due to the rising COVID-19 cases at the time.
They were already sitting in solid second place with a 7-1 win-loss card that season and were a few wins away from yet another crown. Prior to that, Arellano won the three straight titles from Season 92 to Season 94.
This year, the wards of head coach Obet Javier are eager to complete their unfinished business as they eye to remain on the throne of NCAA volleyball.
"Para sa'min, parang triple 'yung kailangan naming gawing efforts gawa ng three-peat kami last season, 'yun yung dine-defend naming title," said team captain Carala Donato in Monday's episode of NCAA Season 97 primer "Game On".
With eyes on the prize, Arellano understands that the job won't be easy as aside from coming from a long break, they would be without usual gunners in Season 94 MVP Necole Ebuen and Season 93 and 94 Finals MVP Regine Arocha who both transitioned to pros.
"Okay naman kami lahat and so far, wala naman na-injure sa amin," shared the 5-foot-11 Donato.
"Naghinay-hinay si Coach Obet sa amin gawa ng two years po kaming nawala tapos pandemic pa pero at the same time, nando'n pa rin po 'yung kagustuhan niyang mag-champion kami."
Meanwhile, aside from basketball and volleyball, NCAA Season 97 also featured online chess tournaments with San Beda University and Lyceum of the Philippines University ruling the juniors and seniors ranks, respectively.
The San Beda Red Wood Pushers were composed of Johann Cedric Gaddi, Joshua Michael Yongco, John Frederick Sunga, and Adrian De Luna. The LPU Pirates were led by Neymark Digno, Valerio Mangubat, Edimar Joshua Friala, and Lanz Vincent Vencer.
—JMB, GMA News
