MANILA, Philippines – Defending NCAA women's volleyball champion Arellano University showed why it is considered the favorite to repeat as titlists in Season 93, as the Lady Chiefs steamrolled Mapua University on Thursday.

Reigning Finals MVP Jovielyn Prado barely broke a sweat while Regine Arocha came up with 13 points, as the Lady Chiefs crushed the Lady Cardinals, 25-10, 25-17, 25-13, to open their title-retention campaign.

"Siguro nakuha namin talaga sa practice," Arellano coach Obet Javier said after his team completed the easy victory.

• READ: Arellano opens repeat bid with sweep of Mapua

The Lady Chiefs' run to the NCAA Season 92 title was somewhat unexpected, and their victory in the finals can be considered an upset. Arellano was up against an unbeaten San Sebastian College team that was armed with a thrice-to-beat advantage and bannered by three-time MVP Grethcel Soltones.

But with Prado and Arocha coming up with big performances, they defeated the Lady Stags three straight times to secure a second title in three seasons.

In Season 93, however, the Lady Chiefs won't be pulling any surprises. They may have lost skipper Ria Sante to graduation, but they still have a formidable line-up. Arocha and Prado are both back, while middle blockers Mary Anne Esguerra and Andrea Marzan have both improved.

Their bench is also a source of strength: starting setter Rhea Ramirez missed their season-opener with a mild shoulder injury, but reserve Sarah Verutiao played splendidly in her place and the Lady Chiefs barely missed a beat.

• READ: Former UST setter Verutiao debuts with a bang for Arellano

"Kung titingnan natin, mas lumiit kami kasi nawala si Sante," Javier said of his team. "Pero balance pa rin ako, kahit maliit kami ng kaunti ngayon."

It is thus no surprise that the Lady Chiefs are favored to go all the way again in Season 93. Not only do they have an almost intact line-up, most of the other NCAA teams took a step back in one way or another. San Sebastian, in particular, lost Soltones to graduation and only has nine players in its roster this year.

Nevertheless, Javier is wary of being tabbed as the "team to beat" so early in their campaign.

"Every time na mag-mi-meeting kami ng mga bata, sinasabi ko lang sa kanila na noong Season 92, nag-champion tayo, so okay 'yun. Pero this year, Season 93, magde-defend tayo pero hindi pa tayo champion," he pointed out.

Javier said they have to double the effort that they gave in Season 92 if they hope to successfully defend their title.

"Kung 'yung Season 92 ay pinagpaguran natin, dapat itong Season 93, dire-diretso natin ang target natin," he said.

This means that the Lady Chiefs cannot afford to relax, even when playing a team like Mapua, which is not expected to put up much of a fight in Season 93.

"Sinasabi ko sa players na hindi pwedeng i-underestimate ang kalaban," he said.

"Lagi kong sinasabi sa mga bata na hindi tayo pwedeng mag-relax talaga," he stressed. "Kahit sa practice, at especially pagdating na ng game."

Arellano returns to action on Sunday against Emilio Aguinaldo College.

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