Arellano University head coach Obet Javier said their latest win over Emilio Aguinaldo College should serve as a morale booster, especially before taking on league leader College of Saint Benilde this Saturday.
The Lady Chiefs will face the Lady Blazers for their final game in the NCAA Season 97 women's volleyball tournament's elimination round—a match which will dictate how the playoff round will go about.
Arellano will attempt to beat still undefeated CSB in order to force a Final Four semifinals format where the top two teams will earn a twice-to-beat incentive. Should CSB win over Perpetual on Wednesday and over Arellano, though, a knockout stepladder semis will be implemented.
And Arellano, currently at the second spot with a 7-1 card, would rather choose the Final Four format.
"Kailangan [tumaas 'yung level ng laro] kasi kung titignan natin, Benilde is wala pang talo 'yan. So 'yung confidence ng Benilde ay talagang naguumapaw," said Javier following their 25-21, 25-18, 26-24 win over EAC on Tuesday.
"So para umabot kami doon, kailangan talaga namin mag-perform. Pagtitiyagaan namin 'yung mga natitirang days, talagang susulitin namin 'yung practice."
Javier particularly pointed out their unforced errors against the Lady Generals, who were on the verge of forcing a fourth set after leading by as much as six, 20-14, in the third.
Fortunately for Arellano, Nicole Sasuman delivered crucial attacks down the stretch as they stunned EAC for seventh win.
"Sinabi ko lang naman sa kanila nung bago pa mag-start na kung gusto naming manalo, dapat straight [sets] so kung titignan natin, ang dami na naman naming binigay na unforced errors sa kanila," the decorated mentor said.
"Sabi ko nga sa kanila, 'eh kayo may gusto niyan, kayo may gawa niyan'. Eh wala naman akong magagawa sa labas kung hindi niyo aayusin 'yung laro niyo. Siguro inisip na lang nila na ayaw nilang mahirapan sa huli, ayaw nilang pahabaain so pinilit nilang kunin 'yung third set."
—JMB, GMA News
