UNIVERSITY of Perpetual Help System Dalta labored, teetered and booked what could be the Season 95’s most amazing rally so far to get the sting out of Arellano University, 22-25, 22-25, 25-22, 25-12, 16-14, in a battle of top teams in National Collegiate Athletic Association women’s volleyball action on Wednesday at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan, Pasig.
The score told the entire story with the Altas emerging from the smoke of battle tied on top of the standings with the defending champion Lady Chiefs on a 5-1 won-lost record.
“When we lost the first two sets, I told them—I always tell them this—a lot of things could still happen,” Perpetual Help Coach Michael Carino said. “I told them that for every set, every point won, we should celebrate.”
“And when we won the third and fourth, we just repeated what we’ve done. And our blocking improved after the third set,” he said. “The team’s willingness to win brought them life.”
Jhona Rosal topscored for the Lady Altas with 15 points and 16 excellent digs, while Jenny Gaviola added 12 points, seven blocks and eight excellent sets. Persa Dana chipped 10 points, two aces and 11 excellent receptions.
Regine Arocha led the Lady Chiefs with 23 points and 10 excellent reception with Princess Bello contributing 16 points, one block and 19 excellent digs.
Letran cruised past Mapua University, 27-25, 25-14, 25-16, to notch its second win also on Wednesday.
Chamberlaine Cunada finished with 16 points and 18 excellent digs, Julienne Castro added 12 points, one block and three aces, and Marie Simborio made 17 excellent sets and seven aces for the Lady Knights, who improved to 2-2 in sixth place.
Jonina Fernandez and Hanna Alvarado each had seven points and Carla Gaudan booked 10 excellent for the Lady Cardinals, who fell in the seventh spot with a 1-3 card.
Perpetual Help made it a twin-kill for the day as the Altas beat the Chiefs, 28-26, 23-25, 25-21, 25-19, to move a win away from securing a semifinals berth in the men’s tournament.