Victory in Finals Game Three results in three-peat for Arellano University

FILE: “NCAA Season 94 Women’s Volleyball
Game 3 Finals
February 12, 2019
AU = 22 / 25 / 25 / 22
UPHSD = 25 / 15 / 18 / 18″ (Photo: Arellano University Sports – Official/Facebook)

It took only four sets for defending champions Arellano University to win the crown one more time, being hailed the 94th season National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) overall winners after conquering runner-up University of Perpetual Help at the Flying V Filoil Arena in San Juan City last Tuesday, February 12. This is the third straight title and the fourth championship of the Lady Chiefs in the past five years.

The set scores ended 22-25, 25-15, 25-18, and 25-18, with Most Valuable Player (MVP) Necole Ebuen and teammate Rhea Ramirez scoring the point that finished the game. Ebuen provided 11 hits during the game, while Ramirez had 20 excellent sets. At the same time, Regine Arocha performed as well, contributing five service aces and 11 receptions, which is why she was eventually hailed finals MVP. With that, Princess Bello performed with 12 points and 18 digs, Carla Donato contributed 11 hits, and Mikaela Juanich gave eight markers.

For Perpetual Help, Cindy Imbo led the way with 12 points and 13 digs, while Shyra Mae Umandal and Gaviola performed as well with 10 markers each. Necelle Gual, who is graduating this year, scored five points and contributed 22 excellent sets.

During the game, the Lady Chiefs totaled 22 errors, while the Lady Atlas had 36.

After the game, Arocha shared their mindset stating, “When we got the lead, like what our coaches told us, ‘If you see them on their knees, don’t allow them to stand. Step on them so that they cannot get up.” Lady Chiefs’ head coach Obet Javier, who was also awarded Season 94 Coach of the Year, reports that this is the most difficult finals series that his team has played in the past few years, elaborating in Filipino, “My respect for Perpetual is really high. They really measured us. They forced us to show what we have to show,” adding, “When we lost in game one, that was a big deal. We learned how to reem ourselves.”