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Season host University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Lady Altas won their first ever women’s volleyball crown as they smothered the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Lady Knights, 25-15, 26-24, 25-10,  sweeping the Finals series in the 87th NCAA volleyball tournament, Monday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

 

After losing in the first frame, the Lady Knights seemed headed to tie the game as they started the second set strong, posting a 12-7 lead.

 

But the Lady Altas, with season MVP Sandra de los Santos and Norie Diaz at the helm, were able to tie the game at 19-all.

 

Letran however, was able to wrest back the lead and got the matchpoint first after back-to-back kills by Lalaine Villarin and Monique Joy Pablo, 24-22, but Perpetual quickly tied the game at 24, after a kill by Honey Royse Tubino and an error by Sarah Jane Espelita. Tubino then came up with a down the line hit and a drop shot to formally give the Lady Altas a 2-0 lead.

 

Determined to finish the game, the Lady Altas were unyielding in the third set, leading the Lady Knights 10-2, and they never looked back, clinching their first crown since joining the league in 1984.

 

“Masaya ako kasi first time ito. Dapat nga noong isang taon pa, kaya lang hindi maganda yung nangyari. Pinatunayan lang ng mga bata na deserving kaming mag-champion talaga,” said Coach of the Year Mike Rafael, after completing a 14-game sweep dating back to the elimination round.

 

De los Santos and Tubino top-scored for the Lady Altas with 14 points each, while Manelle Carolino led the Lady Knights with just nine markers. — AD/RSJ, GMA News