Perpetual stuns Arellano, takes NCAA Finals lead

Perpetual stopped two-time defending champion Arellano on its tracks with a 21-25, 25-17, 25-21, 25-20 triumph to move within a win of claiming the NCAA women’s volleyball crown Friday night at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Recovering from a sluggish start, the Lady Altas leaned on main girl Cindy Imbo and on overall sheer hard work to prevail over Lady Chiefs, who suffered only their second defeat in the conference.

Perpetual also lined itself up for a triple treat after its men’s and juniors teams, both defending champions, won their finals openers.

The Altas nipped the St. Benilde Blazers, 23-25, 25-20, 23-25, 25-23, 15-12, while the four-time titlists Junior Altas ripped the Letran Squires, 25-15, 25-19, 25-19.

The Lady Altas can clinch the title—their first in five years—in Game 2 on Friday next week.

But a one-week break can spell the difference between winning and losing.

Perpetual, ranked No. 4 in the semifinals, advanced to the championship round after overcoming the twice-to-beat cushion of St. Benilde.

Now, it must turn back Arellano, a team with a rich championship tradition that started the season with a 7-0 record.