The Arellano Lady Chiefs and Benilde Lady Blazers ended the elimination round of the NCAA Season 101 women’s volleyball tournament with wins over the EAC Lady Generals and Mapua Lady Cardinals, respectively.
Arellano Keeps EAC Winless
The Arellano Lady Chiefs held off a late rally by the EAC Lady Generals to secure a 25-20, 25-20, 19-25, 25-23 win on Wednesday.
Arellano established control early, capturing the opening two sets behind steady offense and disciplined defense. EAC attempted to shift momentum in the third set, capitalizing on its improved attacking to extend the match.
The Lady Chiefs looked poised to close out the contest in the fourth set after building a comfortable 22-16 lead following a down-the-line hit from Moming Padillon. However, the EAC Lady Generals responded with a 6-1 surge that tied the score at 23-all.
But Crisanta Servidad delivered a crucial hit from the left wing to move Arellano to match point before Sam Tiratira sealed the win for Arellano with a block on Ashley Toriado.
Padillon finished with 12 points to help lead the Lady Chiefs, while Cassey Florida tallied 13 points and 14 digs. Tiratira and Servidad chipped in 10 points apiece.
Angel Perez paced EAC with 18 points and 18 receptions. Alex Razonable added 17 points, while Cara Dayanan contributed 12 points in the losing effort.
The victory lifted the Lady Chiefs to a 6-7 record in Group B and the third seed. They will be facing the number two seed in Group A, the Benilde Lady Blazers.
EAC, meanwhile, concluded its preliminary campaign without a win at 0-13. But the Lady Generals will still have a chance in the Play-In tournament this Friday when they take on the Lyceum Lady Pirates.
Benilde Beats Mapua to Enter Quarters with Momentum
The five-peat-seeking Benilde Lady Blazers swept the Mapua University Lady Cardinals, 25-19, 25-17, 25-10, to end the elimination round on a winning note.
Benilde faced early resistance in the opening set as the Lady Cardinals briefly grabbed a 10-7 lead behind a service ace from rookie Alex Leabres. The Lady Blazers, however, gradually regained control as they found their rhythm offensively. Shekaina Lleses capped the turnaround with a service ace that sealed the first frame for the defending champions.
Benilde tightened its grip on the match with more consistent attacks and solid defense in the next two frames en route to the win.
Clydel Catarig helped spark the decisive run in the final frame, pushing Benilde to a commanding 20-7 advantage with a well-placed push from the opposite side before adding a cross-court kill that widened the gap further. The Lady Blazers maintained their dominance until the end to secure the victory.
Zam Nolasco once again led Benilde with 16 points anchored on 13 attacks and 3 blocks, while Catarig added 10 markers and 10 digs in an all-around performance.
For the side of Mapua, there was no player who reached double digits. Franchesca Clariss Esteban and Freighanne Seanelle Garcia had 5 points each.
The victory extended the Lady Blazers’ winning streak to four and lifted them to a 10-3 record, or good for second place in Group A just behind top seed Perpetual Help Lady Altas.
Mapua, meanwhile, finished the group stage at 5-8 and is the third seed in Group A. They will have a twice-to-win disadvantage as they play the San Beda Red Lady Spikers come the quarterfinals.
