Laika Tudlasan made immediate impact for Arellano University as she returned from injury and helped the Lady Chiefs take down Mapua University, 25-21, 25-21, 27-25, on Saturday in the NCAA Season 99 women's volleyball tournament at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Tudlasan, who missed Arellano's opening game as she suffered from lower back injury weeks ago, was the second-best scorer for the Obet Javier-mentored crew with nine points, seven of which came from attacks. Pauline de Guzman paced the Lady Chiefs with 12 points.
The Lady Cardinals had the chance to extend the match as they led 25-24 in Set 3, but Tudlasan salvaged two match points before De Guzman sealed the game for Arellano.
The win spoiled the efforts of Raissa Ricablanca who had 20 points for Mapua, and Roxie dela Cruz who had 11 points.
"Remind lang lagi sa kanila na dapat alam nila ang purpose dito, kung bakit nandito. And lagi ko sinasabi sa kanila na tiwala lang sa sarili," Javier told GMA News Online when asked about the Lady Chiefs' composure in the deciding set.
(I just reminded them about their purpose here. I always tell them to just trust themselves.)
With the win, Arellano barged into the win column after losing their opening game to Colegio de San Juan de Letran, while Mapua slipped to 1-1.
Meanwhile, the Arellano men's team emerged victorious as it defeated Mapua in straight sets, 25-19, 25-18, 25-22.
Jiwen Sinuto had 12 points as Arellano improved to 1-1. On the other hand, Beben San Andres had 15 points as Mapua went down to 0-2.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
