University of Perpetual Help System DALTA secured a much-needed win over Colegio de San Juan de Letran, taking a 25-23, 25-21, 30-32, 25-19 victory on Sunday in the NCAA Season 98 Women’s Volleyball Tournament at the San Andres Sports Complex.
The Lady Altas averted the possibility of a quadruple tie in the second place where there would be five teams with an identical 5-2 win-loss record. With the win, they are currently sitting alone in the second spot with a 6-1 record, while Letran suddenly dropped to the sixth spot with a 4-3 record.
After losing the third set in a closely contested affair, the Lady Altas broke away in the fourth. They led by as much as six multiple times, including Mary Rhose Dapol’s attack, 24-18, to halt the mini run by Letran, while at the same time taking the series point.
Dapol also scored the series’ finisher with an attack, ending the game in the fourth set, 25-19.
“Nung fourth set medyo nag beastmode ako ng konti sa kanila. Yun, nagising naman sila after that,” said Perpetual’s head tactician Sandy Rieta after their third set loss.
Following a win in the first two sets of the series, Perpetual had a challenging third set. They already had the match point five straight times starting from 24-all to 28-apiece.
The Lady Knights’ toughness in the third period paid off as they scored their first set win, 32-30.
Shaila Omipon finished the game with 24 points, 22 coming from attacks, while Dapol contributed 20 markers of her own.
For Letran, Lara Mae Silva had 24 excellent digs, 22 excellent receptions, and a point. Natalie Estreller had 22 excellent sets, while Judiel Nitura finished with 16 markers.
Lyceum of the Philippines University cruised to victory over San Beda University, 25-20, 25-16, 28-26, eliminating them in the process.
With the win, the Lady Pirates tied Mapua University at the third spot, both with a 5-2 record. On the other hand, the Lady Red Spikers waved goodbye to their Final Four hopes with a 1-6 record.
After losing the first two sets, San Beda finally saw themselves up by six, 21-15, after a Marianne Tayag ace.
Lyceum, however, refused to extend the game as Venice Puzon scored an ace to tie it at 24-all. Both exchanged blows until Johna Dolorito decided she had enough to seal the game, 28-26.
Janeth Tulang and Joan Doguna paved the way for the Lady Pirates with 14 and 13 points, respectively. Venice Puzon also had herself a game as she finished with four markers together with 20 excellent sets.
For the Lady Red Spikers, Marianne Tayag had 10 points, while Katleya Molina added nine markers.
