University of Perpetual Help System DALTA and Arellano University remain unscathed in the NCAA Season 101 women’s and men’s volleyball tournaments, respectively, behind all-around performances from young guns Cyrille Almeniana and CJ Dominguito.
The hard-hitting spikers both went beyond offense to help the Lady ALTAs and defending champions Chiefs clinch a similar spotless 3-0 card so far.
Almeniana, who was forced to sit out majority of their campaign last year due to an injury, is playing with fire in her eyes after steering Perpetual past reigning four-peat champion De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.
The young opposite hitter erupted for 27 points and 12 digs as Perpetual stunned Benilde in a thriller, 25-21, 18-25, 25-23, 17-25, 16-14. Almeniana then posted 18 and 10 points in Perpetual's victories over Jose Rizal University and San Sebastian College-Recoletos.
With her stellar showing thus far, Almeniana was hailed the first Collegiate Press Corps (CPC) Player of the Week award for Season 101 women's volleyball, presented by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
She bested Benilde’s Zam Nolasco, San Beda University’s Angel Mae Habacon, and Colegio de San Juan de Letran’s Judiel Nitura for the weekly citation, supported by minor sponsors Discovery Suites and Buffalo Wings N’ Things.
Meanwhile, sophomore outside spiker Dominguito was also pivotal in Arellano's unbeaten start to its title defense bid.
Dominguito, who filled the void left by Season 100 Finals MVP Carl Berdal, started it with 17 points, five digs, and 21 receptions in their season-opener win against last year's finalist Letran.
He then dropped 12 markers, eight digs, and 18 receptions against LPU before scattering 14 points, six digs, and 13 receptions in a sweep of San Beda University last Saturday.
Dominguito edged out teammate Jiwen Sinuto, Benilde’s Reymark Betco, and Mapua University’s Arjay Ramos for the weekly honor.
—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News
