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Arellano sweeps Mapua, sets up finals duel vs Letran in NCAA men's volleyball
Arellano University swept Mapua University, 25-20, 25-15, 25-15, in the do-or-die match of the NCAA Season 100 men's volleyball Final Four on Friday to advance to the finals.
The Chiefs are returning to the finals after seven years and will face Colegio de San Juan de Letran for the title.
Arellano also erased a twice-to-beat disadvantage against no. 2 team Mapua.
The Chiefs led 7-4 in the third set before they made a 11-3 run to claim an 18-7 lead. Eventually, Arellano led 23-9 before Mapua made a 5-0 run and tried to trim the deficit. Penny Curamen then put Arellano at match point before Adi Villados' attack went out in the following rally as Mapua salvaged one. Jayvee Valenzuela's service error, however, handed the victory to Arellano.
"Pinag-usapan namin na one point at a time lang, kung ano ang usual na ginagawa namin sa training, gawin lang namin," Arellano head coach Bryan Vitug said.
AC Guinto led Arellano with 15 points, while Penny Curamen added 12 points. Jiwen Sinuto and Carl Berdal had nine points each, while Villados stood out as he made 20 out of Arellano's 20 excellent sets.
Arjay Ramos was the only double-digit scorer for Mapua with 10 points, with Barbie San Andres limited to just six points.
Mapua will face Benilde in the battle for third.
Game 1 of the best-of-three finals between Arellano and Letran will be played on Sunday.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
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