MANILA — If there is one squad in the 12th Shakey’s V-League Collegiate Conference who knows how to beat National University, it should be NCAA champions Arellano University.
With a core mostly made up of former Lady Bulldogs, the Lady Chiefs clearly got the numbers of the opponents as they take down one of the early favorites in the tournament in four, 25-23, 25-18, 19-25, 25-22.
Menchie Tubiera once again waxed hot for Arellano, unleashing 13 markers all of which came from attacks. Providing the much-needed support was ex-NU stalwart Mina Aganon, who chipped in 11 points.
For NU, who played without the services of Dindin Manabat and Myla Pablo, Jaja Santiago top scored with 20 markers followed by Aiko Urdas’ 14 points.
The victory, according to head coach Roberto Javier, is extra sweet for it marks the first time his wards down the powerhouse Sampaloc squad.
“Masarap siyempre first time namin tinalo ang NU pero nakita naman natin na kulang pa rin sila eh,” Javier told the press after the match. “Tapos ‘yung team captain ko hindi siya nag produce ngayon so hindi pa rin maganda para sa amin.”
It is no surprise that erstwhile NU spiker CJ Rosario and libero Jan Eunice Galang saw lots of playing time for Arellano as the coach admitted it was the game plan all along.
“Kaya ko pinasok ‘yung mga players na dating taga NU kasi alam na nila ‘yung takbo ng kalaban. Sa pamamagitan nila, alam namin kung papaano gagalaw ‘yung team namin,” shared the coach.
“Siyempre dun sila galing pero magkakaibigan naman ‘yan eh. Sabi ko nga, test sa amin ito eh. Hindi pa kami nanalo sa kanila. Ngayon pa lang,” added the coach while beaming with pride.
Rosario, however, failed to deliver as the team captain got intimidated early in the match when she went head-to-head against NU’s Jaja Santiago.
With just two points, Rosario’s mindset needs to be corrected quick, says Javier.
“‘Yun ang problema ni Rosario. Psychological talaga,” said the coach. “Pag nakita niyang mas magaling ‘yung kalaban, hindi lumalabas ‘yung laro. Mamaya ‘yun sigurado ang ita-tackle namin sa meeting namin.”
Already ahead two sets to none, the lady Chiefs showed signs of complacency in the third set, allowing NU to snatch the third frame and extend the match.
Luckily for Arellano, the late insertion of another former NU spiker in Elaine Sagun, who scored four crucial points in the last set, saved the day and gave them the hard-earned win.
“Si Elaine naman, ‘yun talaga ang forte niya. Basta pag pitpitan magde-deliver. Senior na din kasi. Buti na lang ‘yung last minute na diskarte namin effective naman siya,” shared Javier, talking about Sagun’s clutch plays.
On starting slow in each set before stepping on the gas halfway through, the coach closed by saying, “Halo ng nerbiyos at slow start. Kasama na ‘yung kaba dun. Sabi ko nga, first time namin manalo sa kanila talaga.” — Rivals 2015
From Rivals.ph Website: http://rivals.ph/volleyball/v-league/2015/07/25/38767/ncaa-champion-arellano-downs-dindin-manabat-less-nu-in-v-league/
By Mac Dionisio
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