Cyrille Almeniana continues to make a strong showing in her comeback year after steering University of Perpetual Help System DALTA to a 25-20, 25-21, 25-11 win over Mapua University in NCAA Season 101 women's volleyball on Wednesday.
The third-year opposite spiker, bent on making the most of the season after missing NCAA Season 100 due to a shoulder injury, powered the sweep with 18 points and eight digs as the Lady ALTAs stayed immaculate at 4-0 in Group A.
It was also a collective effort for the Las Piñas crew with middle blocker Geraldine Palacio and Jemalyn Menor churning out 12 and 11 markers apiece. Libero Joanna Lozano was also a force in floor defense with 11 digs and seven receptions.
"Sana po tuloy-tuloy 'yung 4-0 namin para hindi po matulad last season," Almeniana told GMA News Online.
Perpetual is determined to rewrite last season’s narrative, after the Lady ALTAs stormed to a perfect 6–0 start only to fade late and miss out on a Final Four berth in Season 100.
That 4–0 start this season has given Almeniana and the rest of the Lady ALTAs renewed confidence and belief.
Against the Lady Cardinals, Perpetual's dominance was on full display with the wards of head coach Sandy Rieta racing to a 16-9 lead off an attack error from Nicole Ong.
Ong, though, quickly atoned with a quick kill in the next sequence but Almeniana completed a combination play to instigate a 4-0 rampage that saw them take a massive 20-10 lead.
Camille Bustamante then made back-to-back kills from the left wing before Palacio issued the rejection against Franchesca Esteban to punctuate the sweep victory.
Mapua, who came off back-to-back wins against San Sebastian College-Recoletos and Jose Rizal University, was led by Freighanne Garcia and Raissa Ricabalanca as they posted 11 and 10 points each.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
