June 11, 2022 was the start of the Women’s Volleyball tournament of the NCAA Season 97. As the defending Champions, Arellano University Lady Chiefs were set to play the opening game against host school Mapua University Lady Cardinals. The game took place in Paco Arena at 12 NN.
The starting six for the Lady Chiefs were team captain Carla Amaina Donato, Nicole Sasuman, Alyanna San Gregorio, Donnalyn Paralejas, Princess Bello, rookie Dodee Batindaan, and Libero Alliah Daisog. The Lady Chiefs started strong with team captain Carla Donato making the first point with a single block. The Lady Cardinals were quick to respond with a solid cross court hit. However, the Lady Chiefs took control with a well executed combination play. Nicole Sasuman chipped in a service ace, giving the Lady Chiefs a five point lead at 8-3. They continued to play quality defense at the net and made sure to respond when the Lady Cardinals scored a point. The Lady Chiefs were energized with the presence of off-the-bench players like Charmina Diño and Trina Abay. They gave support in offense and defense respectively. The Lady Chiefs played with great teamwork, leading all throughout the first set, which ended with 25-14.
The second set started a little bit rocky for the Lady Chiefs, giving the Lady Cardinals the first point of the set. However, they were able to swiftly recover, with a quick attack, set to Carla Amaina Donato by Donnalyn Paralejas. The Lady Chiefs then continued their run, with a service ace chipped in by Princess Bello, for a 4-1 lead. The Lady Cardinals started to rally, cutting the lead to 1 point at 5-4, however they committed errors giving the AU Lady Chiefs as much as a 3-point lead at 8-5. Nicole Sasuman chipped in another service ace and Lady Chief setter, Donnalyn Paralejas, scored an explosive and surprising spike from a two-touch play, giving the team a 5 point lead at 12-7. The Lady Chiefs continued to play steadily, with Nicole Sasuman chipping 2 back to back cross court hits, while Princess Bello provided a steady presence in both offense and floor defense. Coach Obet Javier then subbed in rookies KC Andante, Pauline De Guzman, and Janice Mauntag during the final set point. Pauline De Guzman then closed out the set at 25-12.
The third set started a bit shaky for the Lady Chiefs, with the Lady Cardinals getting 2 points off the bat. However, the Lady Chiefs were swift to respond, coming up with 2 succeeding points: a quick attack by Carla Amaina Donato and a straight by Nicole Sasuman. The continued rally was led by the two Lady Chiefs and rookie setter KC Andante. The floor defense was led by libero Aliah Daisog assisted by Princess Bello. The Lady Cardinals then started to rally, tying the set at 6-6 and even taking the lead at 6-7. However, they committed two consecutive errors, which gave the Lady Chiefs a one point lead of 8-7. Trina Abay then led the Lady Chiefs rally, scoring two consecutive points, giving them a 3-point lead at 11-8. Lady Chief rookie Janice Mauntag chipped in a service ace to extend the rally.
The Lady Cardinals played steadily, slowly cutting the lead to 2 points at 16-14. Lady Chiefs Princess Bello along with Nicole Sasuman, Janice Mauntag, and Donnalyn Paralejas stopped the bleeding by contributing a point each, which gave the Lady Chiefs a five point lead at 20-15. However, the Lady Cardinals persevered along with errors committed by the Lady Chiefs, cutting the lead to two points at 23-21. The Lady Chiefs’ floor defense led by Libero Cherry Cuenca along with the continuous attacks of the team, allowed team captain Carla Amaina Donato to score, setting the team at match point, 24-21. It was rookie Janice Mauntag who closed the game for the Lady Chiefs.
The Lady Chiefs took the win in 3 straight sets: 25-14, 25-12, 25-21. Nicole Sasuman was crowned player of the game with 13 PTS (10 attacks and 3 service aces). The AU Lady Chiefs are set to play against the San Beda Lady Red Spikers on Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at 2:30 PM.
