THE Perpetual Help Lady Altas get tested today as they take on the defending champions and currently undefeated Arellano Lady Chiefs in the main women’s volleyball match for National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 93 at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Set for 12:30 p.m., the Lady Altas, sitting at third spot in the standings with a 4-1 record, look to fortify their spot in the top half as well as spoil the Lady Chiefs’ unbeaten run.
Perpetual Help is coming off a win in its last game on Sunday, defeating the Jose Rizal University Lady Bombers, 25-21, 22-25, 25-14 and 25-21, despite an error-prone performance.
Maria Lourdes Clemente led the Lady Altas with 19 hits including 14 on kills and two on blocks while Cindy Imbo chipped in 18 points.
“We got to really improve our service, which was really bad in the first two sets especially in the second set,” said Perpetual Help coach Macky Cariño, whose wards committed 35 errors, the bulk came on services, against JRU.
“If we can do that, we’ll have a strong chance to this season,” he added.
Mr. Cariño went on to say that they have to give their best against Arellano in today’s game despite the short turnaround.
“We have little time to prepare [against Arellano]. But that should not stop us from doing our best,” the coach said.
Arellano (5-0), meanwhile, is off a win as well last Sunday, beating the Lyceum Lady Pirates in straight sets, 25-16, 25-17 and 25-11.
Rookie Necole Ebuen uncorked a match-high 11 points while team captain Mary Ann Esguerra, Regine Anne Arocha and Andrea Marzan added 10 each to help power the balanced Lady Chiefs attack.
Serving play in the opener in women’s play at 11 a.m. are the San Sebastian Lady Stags (2-2) and Mapua Lady Cardinals (0-4) — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
