IT is time for University of Perpetual Help System and Letran to shine and end their respective title droughts in the NCAA women’s volleyball tournament.
The Lady Altas and the Lady Knights begin their unlikely best-of-three finals showdown today at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Perpetual Help, which is unbeaten in 12 eliminations and semifinals matches, is heavily favored to pull thru against Letran in the series opener set at 2 p.m.
The series marks the first time that multi-titled San Sebastian College, the winningest women’s squad, won’t be in the finale since coach Roger Gorayeb took over in the mid-80s.
The Lady Altas swept the Lady Knights in their head-to-head this season, including a 25-16, 25-15, 25-19 win in a no-bearing match last Friday.
Defending champion Perpetual Help and San Beda College collide in the men’s championship opener at 3:30 p.m.
While the Altas are seeking their second straight diadem, the Red Lions, who are in the finals for the third time in the last four seasons, are gunning for their first league title.
Despite missing the services of prized hitter April Ann Sartin, Perpetual Help was able to dominate the competition thru the efforts of Sandra delos Santos, Honey Royse Tubino, Norie Diaz, Janice Abar, Arianne Argarin and libero Angelique Dionela.
One of the hot favorites for the tournament MVP award, Delos Santos, tops the league in attacks in the semifinals with 51.43 percent success rating, while Argarin leads in setting with 8.0 average per set, and Dionela is No. 1 in receiving with 38.89 percent efficiency rating.
Since joining the NCAA in 1984, the Lady Altas have never won a championship.
“Sana magtuloy-tuloy ang magandang ipinapakita ng mga bata. Hindi lamang sa physical pati sa mental aspect ng game,” said Perpetual Help mentor Mike Rafael.
Aside from a bevy attackers, the Lady Altas’ main asset all season long was their floor defense.
Letran will pin its hopes on Manel Carolino, the youngest sister of Michelle and Mayette Carolino, who were both part of the last Lady Knights champion squad in the 1998-99 season.
Carolino finished second in attacking and blocking department, and her performance will be crucial for Letran to be in the thick of the fight in the series.
The Lady Knights, who are making their second straight finals stint, will also bank on setter Gena Andaya, Melissa Cu, Sarah Espelita, Angelica Santos and libero Justyne Mae Tadeo.
“We will try to give our best to win the championship. Sana ipakita ng mga bata ang puso ng paglalaro sa finals,” said Letran coach Brian Esquibel. (TJ)
