MANILA, Philippines –For the third straight season, Perpetual Help pulled off another sweet sweep of the NCAA volleyball titles, underlining its tag as the top volleyball program in the country.
Just three days after the men’s team hacked out a thrilling win over Emilio Aguinaldo College for a fourth straight championship, the Lady Altas hammered out an epic five-set triumph over Arellano in the winner-take-all women’s finals.
It was a tough climb to the top for both teams, which needed to subdue worthy rivals.
Cliché as it may sound, coach Sammy Acaylar believes hard work and sacrifice keyed their successful run to the title.
“It is important to have faith in each other and the team, everybody really worked hard for this,” said Acaylar, who is the coach of all nine men’s volleyball titles by the progressive Las Piñas-based university.
Anthony Tamayo, Perpetual’s policy board member, said the players were disciplined from the start
“Our players showed a lot of discipline and the school is proud of these accomplishments,” said Tamayo.
Perpetual Help’s 25-22, 26-24, 18-25, 23-25, 15-13 win over Emilio Aguinaldo in the finals extended their amazing streak to 47 matches in a run that dates back to 2011. Jay Dela Cruz starred in the title-clinching match with 24 points.
Heroes abound for the Lady Altas in their Game 3 duel with the Lady Chiefs but none bigger than the power-hitting Honey Royse Tubino, who banged home 32 hits, including a whopping 30 on attacks.
Tubino was adjudged Finals MVP, capping a checkered collegiate career where she also bagged season MVP honors.
“I’m blessed to win MVP and Final MVP awards and another championship,” said Tubino.
Also sparkling for the Lady Altas was Norie Jane Diaz, who fired 18 hits in her final game for the school.
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