Arellano avenges elimination loss vs La Salle, claims SSL Juniors bronze

After braving a sluggish opening, the Arellano University Highschool (AUH) regained its bearings in time to hack out a 19–25, 25–15, 25–20, 25–19 dispatch against One La Salle, bagging a bronze medal in the 2026 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Juniors National Invitationals at Playtime FilOil Arena in San Juan City, July 18. 

The Baby Chiefs closed out their campaign with a 4-3 slate, securing a podium finish by avenging their 26–24, 25–18 loss against their early taunters in the elimination stage.

Cassandra Paralejas’ showings bolstered AU’s offense after racking up 22 points built on 21 attacks, while Arah Suizo and Ysabelle Borja backstopped with 12 and 10 markers, respectively.

Mounting a spirited comeback in the penultimate, AU found themselves in a comfortable 13-6 cushion, then sustained the surge with Paralejas uncorking back-to-back kills to cruise into 2-1 sets lead.

From thereon, the Chiefs proved their caliber was at the highest level.

The Legarda-based crew engineered a pivotal 4-0 run behind Paralejas and Suizol in the last canto, which they then carried later to fend off their foes’ late scare with a cerebral drop to seal the bronze finish.

Antonella Jayobo bannered the green-clad belles with her 16 points, as Aislinn Alemana and Kylie Celeda followed with 15 and 12, respectively.