Perpetual shoots for triple crown

By Kristel Satumbaga

Games Friday
(The Arena, San Juan City)
12 noon – Perpetual
vs Letran (J)
1:30 p.m. – Presentation of
Individual Awards
2 p.m. – Perpetual vs CSB (M)
4 p.m. – Arellano vs Perpetual (W)

History beckons for University of Perpetual Help when they shoot for a rare triple crown Friday in NCAA volleyball at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Junior Altas first take center stage at 12 noon when they face the Letra Squires for a fifth straight juniors crown, while the Altas gun for back-to-back men’s title in their 2 p.m. confrontation with the College of St. Benilde Blazers at 2 p.m.

The Lady Altas, for their part, seek lost glory in their 4 p.m. tussle against defending champions Arellano University Lady Chiefs.

Perpetual hopes to become the first school to achieve a title treble since San Sebastian won the juniors, men’s and women’s crowns in 2002.

Focus, however, will be on the Lady Altas, who entered the best-of-three finals as underdogs against two-time champions Lady Chiefs.

Seeding fourth in the semis, the Lady Altas ousted fancied St. Benilde Lady Blazers for a finals berth then proved their worth with a 21-25, 25-17, 25-21, 25-20 Game 1 triumph last week.

Lady Altas coach Macky Cariño said they must not allow the Lady Chiefs to grab the momentum, knowing how dangerous Arellano is once it controls the game.

First best outside spiker Cindy Imbo banners Cariño’s starters along with Jhona Rosal, Shyra Umandal and Hannah Suico.

Meanwhile, Perpetual men’s coach Sammy Acaylar wants more firepower from his stalwarts despite beating the Blazers in Game 1, 23-25, 25-20, 23-25, 25-23, 15-12, with two-time MVP Joebert Almodiel in front of their attack.

The Junior Altas are also coming off a 25-15, 25-19, 25-19 Game 1 win.