THE defending champions Arellano Lady Chiefs and San Beda Lady Red Spikers get their National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 93 women’s volleyball championship encounter going with Game One of their best-of-three series today at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

After two rounds of competitive play, left standing are the Lady Chiefs and Lady Red Spikers, who incidentally were the top two teams at the end of the elimination round with identical 8-1 cards.

The two teams had twice-to-beat advantages in the Final Four but saw no need to use them as they dispatched their respective opponents at the first instance last week.

Arellano is making its second consecutive appearance in the NCAA finals and is looking to come out triumphant anew.

The Lady Chiefs had it dominant from the start of Season 93, winning their first seven matches before being derailed by the College of St. Benilde Lady Blazers in their penultimate outing in the elimination round.

They faced the Jose Rizal University Lady Bombers in the semifinals, defeating the latter in straight sets, 25-13, 25-20 and 25-17, to barge into the finals.

Setter Sarah Verutiao stepped up for Arellano in the win, dishing out a career-best 39 excellent sets.

Leading the way for the Lady Chiefs, meanwhile, was Regine Arocha with 15 points, 12 coming from spikes, to go along with 15 digs and five excellent receptions.

“We will try our best to defend the title. San Beda is making its first appearance in the finals and we are sure they want to win and we have to be ready for them,” said Arellano coach Obet Javier.

FIRST-TIMERS
On the part of San Beda, its debut finals appearance in the NCAA is something it is taking with special pride as it sees it as a product of their collective effort.

“This is the product of the team’s hard work. This team endured a lot of things,” said San Beda coach Messio Gavino after they booked a ticket to the championship.

The Lady Red Spikers won six straight to start their campaign until they were stopped by Arellano.

They immediately picked up the pieces and won their last two assignments in the classification phase before getting the better of the Perpetual Help Lady Altas in the semifinals in three sets, 25-21, 25-15 and 25-23.

San Beda drew strength from twins Maria Nieza and Maria Jiezela Viray, who fired 16 and eight points, respectively, while combining for 22 digs, in the big win.

Captain Cesca Racraquin struggled but still managed to have nine hits.

Game One of the best-of-three finals between Arellano and San Beda is set for 4 p.m. It will be shown live over ABS-CBN S+A. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

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