Arellano University unleashed the tandem of Laika Tudlasan and Sam Tiratira in pulling off a massive upset against erstwhile undefeated Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 25-20, 22-25, 25-23, 25-20, in the NCAA Season 100 women's volleyball tournament on Saturday.
The Lady Chiefs shrugged off a second set hiccup en route to the four-set victory that allowed the wards of head coach Obet Javier improve to 3-3 while dealing the Lady Knights their first loss for a 5-1 card.
Third-year Tudlasan led the way with 19 points while rookie middle blocker Tiratira showed her worth and finished with 16 markers anchored on 12 attacks and four blocks to put together her breakout game.
"Masayang-masaya kami kasi una, unbeaten pa 'yung Letran e. Kagaya nga ng sabi sa amin ng aming presidente, baka kami pa 'yung maka-isa sa Letran," Javier said.
"So nagpapasalamat kami sa aming president kasi na-motivate kami."
Arellano, already up two sets to one, made sure to start things off right in the crucial fourth set with the 5-foot-11 Tiratira powering a 5-1 start that set the tone the rest of the way for the Lady Chiefs.
Tudlasan then unloaded back-to-back kills from the open side, bringing Arellano to an 8-3 cushion before Heart Villaflores made it a 13-6 advantage.
But Letran, who had won their last six games including a sweep of no less than defending champion De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, staged a fightback behind Gia Maquilang as the sophomore star served up an ace to cut the deficit to two, 11-13.
Errors, however, proved costly for the Lady Knights with Marjorie Napal's service infraction bringing Arellano to a 22-16 lead while a Tiratira quick attack delivered the match point at 24-20.
Tiratira then put the roof on an opposite kill attempt from Judiel Nitura to put the finishing kick.
Villaflores helped Arellano's cause with nine points and seven digs while another middle blocker in Fhaye Mangubat chipped in eight markers.
Nitura continued to shine for Letran, registering 23 points built on 20 attacks and two aces while Maquilang chimed in with 21 markers and 15 receptions in their first loss in seven games.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
