Arellano University didn’t back down even after a second set letdown, carving out a 25-11, 24-26, 25-7, 25-12, victory over San Beda University in the NCAA Season 98 women’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday.
Arellano, which is gearing up to reclaim the throne after a bridesmaid finish last season, improved to 2-0 while San Beda dropped to 0-2.
After the Lady Red Spikers stole the second frame, the Lady Chiefs took care of business in the third set with rookie Laika Tudlasan acing four consecutive services for a 21-6 cushion.
Dodee Batindaan then had a service ace of her own for the set point, 24-7, before a miscommunication on the side of San Beda gave Arellano the set.
Team captain Trina Abay’a back-to-back point allowed Arellano to take a 17-10 advantage in the fourth before Tudlasan sent the former three-peat champions to a 21-11 upper hand.
Veteran Charmina Diño then put the punctuation with a kill from the open side as Arellano completed the victory.
Tudlasan finished with 15 points highlighted by six aces while Pauline De Guzman and Marianne Padillion chipped in 14 and 13 markers apiece.
Batindaan chimed in with 11 points built on four blocks to lead Arellano’s 15 total blocks.
Arellano will next face another unbeaten team in University of Perpetual Help System DALTA on Saturday while San Beda takes on De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
