Arellano downs St. Benilde, stays unscathed in NCAA volley

MANILA, Philippines – Arellano University unleashed Menchie Tubiera when CJ Rosario struggled  as it turned back College of St. Benilde, 29-31, 21-25,  25-18, 25-22, 23-21, Thursday to stay unbeaten and atop the heap in the 90th NCAA women's volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

The power-hitting Tubiera exploded with a career-best 35 hits, most of which came in the final three sets when the Lady Chiefs overhauled a two-set deficit and turned it into their seventh straight victory in as many matches.

Tubiera filled in for Rosario, who saw action in just two sets and finished with just four hits after reporting with a fever.

Shirley Salamagos scattered 13 while Danna Henson and Elaine Sagun contributed 12 apiece in the win.

The Lady Blazers, who were led by Jannine Navarro's 24 and Jeanette Panaga's 22, fell to their second defeat against five wins but remained in the magic four.

In men's play, St. Benilde turned back Arellano U, 25-18, 25-23, 19-25, 25-19, to drag the latter into joint third with 5-2 (win-loss) cards.

Johnvic de Guzman fired a match-best 20 while Marjun Alingasa and Racmade Etrone added 17 and 15, respectively.

In the juniors' section, Arellano U dumped La Salle-Greenhills, 25-12, 25-18, 25-12, to improve to 3-3.