Arellano drags Mapua to Final Four rubber match with romp led by Guinto, Pangilinan
Arellano University recovered from a first-set hiccup to reassert mastery over Mapua University with a 21-25, 25-23, 25-17, 25-13 win in Game 1 of NCAA Season 100 men's volleyball Final Four on Tuesday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
The Chiefs, who dealt Mapua its first loss of the season back in their second-round clash, again leaned on AC Guinto, who poured in an all-around performance of 19 points on 14 attacks laced with four blocks and one ace as they dragged the second-seeded Cardinals to a winner-take-all Game 2 on Friday.
The third-year Guinto got solid help from other starters with veterans Carl Berdal and Jiwen Sinuto chipping in 13 and 11 markers apiece. Berdal also added four digs and 13 receptions to help the cause.
But the revelation was sophomore middle blocker Jake Pangilinan, churning out an impressive 11-point outing that was highlighted by three monster blocks late in the fourth set that paved the way for the stunner.
"Sa first set po 'yung galaw namin parang stiff, kinukuha pa po namin 'yung tempo namin," Pangilinan told GMA News Online.
"Nagusap-usap po kami kung paano namin maso-solve 'yung problem namin nu'ng first set para sa next sets makuha na po namin 'yung laro namin."
[In the first step, our movement was kind of stiff, we were just getting our tempo down... we all spoke about how to solve the problem in the first set so that in the next sets we find our game.]
After losing the opening frame, Arellano crawled its way back with Guinto unleashing two blocks late in the second set before Berdal put the punctuation as they leveled the affair to one set apiece.
The Chiefs then opened the third canto with a hot 4-0 start before Guinto served an ace to make it a 20-11 lead. Sinuto soared from the opposite side for the set point at 24-17 while an error-plagued Mapua committed an attack error to secure the set.
Mapua struggled to recover from its offensive dry spell as Arellano built a 15-9 cushion on a one-two dunk from setter Adi Villados before Pangililnan impose his will at the net, unloading three straight blocks to finish it off.
The 20-year-old middle blocker denied Ar-jay Ramos and Ramil Gripo on two successive plays before putting the roof anew on Ramos to help Arellano establish a massive 23-13 advantage.
Guinto went for the cross-court kill for the match point before Barbie San Andres' attack error triggered the four-set victory for Arellano.
San Andres paced Arellano with 23 points laced with 20 receptions while Olsen Jamisola and Ramos chimed in with 13 and 12 markers apiece.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
_2025_05_30_22_04_08.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
GMA Network
04-08-2025
- GMA Network
Meralco Bolts to represent PBA anew in expanded EASL
PBA Philippine Cup. May 30, 2025. Chris Newsome (11) of the Meralco Bolts against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. (Photo: PBA Media) The Meralco Bolts have been named the sole representative of the PBA in the 2025-2026 East Asia Super League (EASL), marking the third straight time the franchise will suit up in the regional club tournament. Meralco made its EASL debut in 2023 alongside another PBA bet in TNT. That edition saw the Bolts rack up one win against five losses to bow out of the Final Four run. The club returned last year and collected two wins against the Macau Black Bears and Busan KCC Egis, but suffered three straight defeats, including a heartbreaking double overtime loss to the New Taipei Kings, in the next games to end its campaign. With Meralco's participation now sealed, the EASL 12-team cast has been completed. The Bolts are drawn in Group B together with the Black Bear as well as last edition's Final Four teams in Taoyuan Pauian Pilots and Ryukyu Golden Kings as EASL now features 12 teams from 10 last edition. Group A consists of Hong Kong Eastern, Seoul SK Knights, Taipei Fubon Braves, and Utsonomiya Brex while Group C has Alvark Tokyo, Changwon LG Sakers, New Taipei Kings, and Ulaanbaatar Xac Broncos. EASL tips off on October 8 as the league introduces a new format with the top two teams in each group advancing to a Round of 6. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
27-07-2025
- GMA Network
Letran reigns supreme in inaugural NCAA MLBB tournament
NCAA By BEA MICALLER,GMA Integrated News The Knights ruled the Land of Dawn. Colegio de San Juan de Letran overcame Jose Rizal University in the finals, 3-1, to clinch the title in the inaugural NCAA Season 100 Mobile Legends: Bang Bang tournament on Sunday at the Philippine Game Development Expo (PGDX). The Knights completed an unlikely title run, surviving Mapua University in the lower bracket finals before turning back the Heavy Bombers in the best-of-five championship round. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
22-07-2025
- GMA Network
JM Bravo forgoes final year with LPU, looks to turn pro
JM Bravo is officially moving on from collegiate basketball, opting to skip his final year with Lyceum of the Philippines University as he looks to take the leap into the professional ranks. The 6-foot-3 forward bared his decision to GMA News Online on Tuesday, saying it is a decision he is making for his family. He ends a four-year stint with the Pirates that saw him help the squad reach the Final Four round for three consecutive years. "Maraming salamat Lyceum of the Philippines University Manila sa 4 na taon sa pag tulong at supporta lalo na mga LPU Community, Coaches and Teammates," Bravo said in an Instagram post. "And Buong pasalamat ko sa mga Boss Laurel Family and Lopez Family. Hanggang sa Muli!" Bravo's final season with the Pirates in NCAA Season 100 was marked by personal challenges. Early in the season, he was initially ruled out for the remainder of the tournament due to the spinal injury he sustained in their 95-93 loss to San Sebastian College-Recoletos last September 11. Bravo then had an unexpected comeback early in the second round to provide some veteran presence alongside John Barba, Mclaude Guadaña, Gyle Montaño, and Greg Cunanan, rejoining the squad exactly a month after. ?After two games, however, he collapsed on the floor late in their 91-86 loss to Arellano University on October 19 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre, but Bravo braved through it as well and was still able to finish the season as LPU bowed to eventual champion Mapua University in the Final Four. —JMB, GMA Integrated News ?
