Arellano University shrugged off a slow start to survive Jose Rizal University, 20-25, 25-18, 25-23, 25-15, and punch the last semifinals ticket in the NCAA Season 99 men's volleyball tournament on Tuesday at FilOil EcoOil Centre.
The Chiefs improved to 5-4 to join defending champion Perpetual, EAC, and Letran in the Final Four round while the also-ran Heavy Bombers ended their run at 2-7.
AC Guinto displayed his brilliance with a team-high of 20 points anchored on 18 attacks and two blocks while Carl Berdal and Jiwen Sinuto provided the help with 16 and 15 markers each to bring the Chiefs back to the semifinals.
After a tight affair in the second and third sets, the Chiefs built a huge separation right away in the fourth with middle blocker Anfernee Curamen unleashing back-to-back points for an 8-2 lead.
Berdal, who missed their first seven games due to knee injuries, uncorked a cross court kill to bring their lead at 16-7 before two consecutive rejections from Daniel Agovida made it a 23-12 cushion for the Chiefs.
Agovida then put the finishing blow with a quick kill as Arellano cruised to the Final Four.
JRU banked on team captain Windel Laurenciana, who churned out 13 points, and Ken Daynata, who chipped in 11 markers and nine digs.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
