UNIVERSITY of Perpetual Help System Dalta capped its domination in NCAA volleyball by winning two division titles Monday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. The Lady Altas buried the ghost of the past by tripping Letran, 25-15, 26-24, 25-10, and win their first-ever women’s title via a two-game sweep.
Earlier, Perpetual Help subdued San Beda College, 25-14, 25-15, 25-23, to cop its second straight men’s title. Season MVP Sandra delos Santos and Honey Royse Tubino registered 14 points apiece while team captain Janice Abar added eight hits for the Lady Altas.
“Masaya ako dahil first time ito ng school. Dapat noong isang taon pa ito, kaya lang hindi nangyari. Pinatunayan namin na deserving kaming mag-champion,” said Perpetual Help mentor Mike Rafael, who is handling the Las Piñas-based squad for 15 years. The Lady Altas would have won it all last year but were disqualified as two of their players – April Ann Sartin and Ronerry dela Cruz – who caught playing in an invitational village league while the season is ongoing. Even without Sartin, Perpetual Help was able to reach the pedestal by completing an unbeaten season, winning all 14 matches.
The Lady Knights were ahead, 9-3, when the Lady Altas made a big comeback, with Tubino scoring four straight hits to win the second set. Just like what happened in its five-set loss in the finals opener, Letran never recovered, as Perpetual Help was in full control of the third set to seal the win.
Lady Altas playmaker Arianne Argarin had 22 excellent sets, while libero Angelique Dionela, who played her final NCAA game along with Kath Bulatao, had 11 digs. Tournament MVP Marcelo Joaquin registered 12 points, including three blocks, while skipper Jay dela Cruz and Adam Daquer had 11 hits apiece to help the Altas complete a two-game sweep of the finals series.
Perpetual Help did not taste a single defeat in 14-0 matches to win its seventh men’s crown overall. “We prepared hard for this. Yung hardwork na ginawa ng mga bata during sa training at sa laro, nagbunga,” said Altas mentor Sammy Acaylar, who celebrated his birthday last Saturday.
The victory gave a fitting send-off to Joaquin, Reggie Espeleta and Archie Taruc, who have already used up their playing years to Perpetual Help. Lorenzo Capate finished with 12 hits for the Red Lions. In the juniors division, Jan Francis Ronato had 20 hits while Samuel Herrera added 15 points as the San Sebastian College Staglets forced a finals decider with a 22-25, 25-20, 25-22, 18-25, 18-16 win over the Emilio Aguinaldo College Brigadiers.
In the awarding prior to Game 2, the Best Scorer honors went to Joy Benito (San Sebastian) Paul John Cuzon (EAC), and Capate (San Beda). Other awardees were in the Best Spiker: Eldrige Capal (UPHSD), Sandra Delos Santos (UPHSD), Espeleta (UPHSD), Best Blocker: Dafna Robiños (San Sebastian), Christopher Vhal Soriano (UPHSD), Jay Dela Cruz (UPHSD), Best Server: Annabelle Dionela (EAC), Rodney Kenneth Espejo (San Sebastian), James Lorca (San Beda). Best Digger: Mae Crisostomo (San Sebastian), John Arnel Enano (San Sebastian), Sandy Montero (UPHSD), Best Setter: Arriane Angarin (UPHSD), Karlo Santos (EAC), Dexter Clamor (UHSD) and Best Receiver: Angelique Dionela (UPHSD), Jerrus Moya (EAC) and Sandy Montero (UPHSD). (TJ)
