Chiefs, Lady Blazers gun for clinchers
Adrian Villados remained calm, cool and collected while masterfully orchestrating the plays throughout Arellano’s coup in the series opener of the NCAA Season 100 men’s volleyball Finals.
That controlled demeanor the multidimensional setter flaunted will again be pivotal as the Chiefs attempt to close out the Letran Knights and hold a coronation at Filoil Arena in San Juan on Wednesday.
“To be honest, I’m trying my best to be calm as a setter to focus better,’’ said the Arellano skipper after the Chiefs moved on the cusp of their first title with a 27-25, 25-14, 22-25, 25-22 conquest of the Knights.
“Our skills and blocking are there. What we need to do in Game 2 is to maintain our composure regardless of the situation, because we still get rattled every now and then,’’ said Arellano coach Bryan Vitug.
Villados, a national team pool regular, kept their offense humming with 18 excellent sets apart from seven points and two aces.
“For Game 2, we just have to stick to the system that our coach prepared for us and trust everybody on our side of the floor,’’ said Villados.
Women’s side
Villados swears that staying inside the dorm similar to a bubble is one of the crucial ingredients that solidified that bond where hitters Carl Justin Berdal, AC Guinto, Jiwen Sinuto, Jake Pangilinan and Anfernee Curamen suddenly thrived.
“We stay in the dorm, always together for the entire season,” said Villados. “That really helped build effective communication and solid relationships within the team.’’
Meanwhile, College of St. Benilde will also try to put the finishing touches on the women’s division when the Lady Blazers tangle with the Letran Lady Knights in Game 2 of their series.
“We just won the first game. It’s not over yet,” said Benilde team captain Mycah Go, a second-round selection in the PVL Draft by ZUS Coffee.
