The University of Perpetual Help Lady Altas secured the top spot in Group A of the NCAA Season 101 women’s volleyball tournament after outlasting Mapua University Lady Cardinals, 25-20, 21-25, 25-22, 20-25, 15-6, on Sunday at the San Andres Sports Complex in Manila.
The Lady Altas regained control in the deciding set after struggling in the second and fourth frames. Cy Almeniana and Jem Menor spearheaded a decisive run that allowed Perps to pull away and seal the victory.
The win lifted Perpetual to an 11-2 record, guaranteeing the team the No. 1 spot in Group A. Mapua, meanwhile, dropped to 5-7.
Almeniana delivered a standout performance with 28 points, including five in the final set. Menor added 14 markers, while Camille Bustamante contributed 13 points to support the Lady ALTAs’ offense.
Perpetual wasted little time asserting itself in the fifth set, opening with a 6-0 run highlighted by two attacks from Almeniana. Menor followed with a pair of kills to extend the lead to 10-3.
Geraldine Palacio later produced a key block against Franchesca Esteban to stretch the advantage to 13-5 before Almeniana finished off the match with back-to-back points.
Mapua was led by rookie Alexander Leabres and veteran opposite hitter Raissa Ricablanca, who both scored 18 points. Freighanne Garcia also contributed 14 markers in the losing effort.
Meanwhile, Colegio de San Juan de Letran Lady Knights continued its unbeaten run after a 25-18, 25-18, 25-21, straight set victory over the San Beda University Lady Red Spikers.
Judiel Nitura finished with 18 points to be named Player of the Game as the Lady Knights remained undefeated in Group B with a 13-0 mark. The Lady Red Spikers slipped to a 9-4 mark.
