The University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Lady Altas nearly let a two-set lead slip away, but prevailed in the end to edge out the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Lady Stags, 25-22, 25-23, 7-25, 18-25, 15-11, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Lady Altas, who were fresh off a disappointing loss to the San Beda College Lady Red Spikers, needed to muster a late run after squandering a 2-0 set lead.
An ankle sprain suffered by Joyce Sta. Rita in the second set only fired up the Lady Stags, rallying back in the third and fourth sets. Moreover, during the third set, the Lady Stags limited the Lady Altas to just seven points — the lowest output for a set so far this season.
According to Perpetual head coach Michael Cariño, his team was lucky to have won given their sudden drop in effort in the third and fourth frames.
“Maaga pa ‘yung season, masasabi talaga natin ‘yun, at may mga kailangan kaming i-work out,” Cariño said, “Pero siyempre, lamang ka na ng dalawang sets, ine-expect mo na magiging consistent na ‘yung gagawin ng team. Hindi nangyare ‘yun, pero at least nakabawi noong huling set.”
The Lady Altas regained the spunk that powered them in the first two sets, grabbing 9-5 edge in the decider. The Lady Stags tried to rally back, but their lack of offense and propensity for errors halted their late run and boosted their foes.
Towering Lourdes Clemente topped the Lady Altas with 15 points while Cindy Imbo added 14.
The Altas (2-1) take on the struggling Emilio Aguinaldo College (0-3) on Thursday.
Daurene Santos led the Lady Stags with a career-high 20 markers while captain Joyce Sta. Rita had 15.
The Lady Stags (1-2) face the College of Saint Benilde (2-0) on Friday.
The Scores
UPHSD (3) – Clemente 15, Imbo 14, Tripoli 12, Versoza 9, Gual 4, Umandal 3, Llorente 1, Sangalang 1, Medalla (L)
SSC-R (2) – Santos 20, Encarnacion 16, Sta. Rita 15, Dalisay 12, Amponin 4, Guillema 2, Eroa (L)
