TEETERING on its first loss of the season, University of Perpetual Help System Dalta rallied from a seven-point fourth set deficit to move closer in claiming its first-ever NCAA women’s volleyball title.
The Lady Altas survived a surprisingly stubborn Letran side to escape with a 25-16, 23-25, 25-27, 25-20, 15-10 win in the finals opener Friday Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Sandra delos Santos delivered MVP-like numbers with 23 hits, including three service aces and two blocks, while Honey Royse Tubino added 16 points and Norie Diaz had 15 hits for the Lady Altas.
Perpetual Help is on track for a double championship, as the Altas subdued San Beda College, 28-26, 25-22, 25-22, and move within a win of bagging a second men’s title.
Perpetual Help, which is unbeaten in 13 matches, can clinch the championship with another win on Monday.
“Pipilitin namin tapusin sa Game 2 para wala nang Game 3,” said Lady Altas coach Mike Rafael.
The Lady Knights took two of the first three sets and were holding a 12-5 advantage early in the fourth frame.
“Hindi ko akalain na magiging ganoong kaganda ang laro ng Letran. Tapos, hindi nagpapasok ang mga service namin. Masuwerte ang kalaban, kahit anong hataw, nakukuha nila,” said Rafael.
Letran then succumbed to errors, allowing Perpetual Help to take a 20-16 advantage and never looked back.
In the fifth set, the Lady Altas raced to a 5-1 spread from a Tubino kill and cooled down repeated Lady Knights comebacks to preserve the victory in the match lasted for one hour and 55 minutes.
Perpetual Help libero Angelique Dionela registered 21 digs and had 20 successful receive.
Manel Carolino had 17 points, including four service aces and two blocks, while Sarah Espelita added 16 hits for Letran.
Reggie Espeleta scattered 11 of his 12 points from attacks, while Marcelo Joaquin and Adam Daquer added 10 hits to help Perpetual Help erect a 1-0 advantage in the best-of-three series.
Gilbert Ablan carried the offensive load of the Red Lions with 18 points, as their leading scorer Lorenzo Capate was limited to nine hits.
In the juniors division, Paul Cuzon and Marcial Traje had 14 hits as the Emilio Aguinaldo College Brigadiers also inched closer in winning a first championship by tripping the San Sebastian Staglets, 22-25, 25-19, 25-23, 25-23. (TJ)
