Cyrille Almeniana ensured the University of Perpetual Help System had a proper send-off in the NCAA Season 101 women's volleyball, starring in a 25-18, 25-18, 26-24 win over San Beda University in the battle for third on Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Almeniana poured in a team-high 20 points laced with 10 digs while Geraldine Palacio and Jemalyn Menor each added 11 markers to help the Lady ALTAs salvage a podium finish.
Perpetual dominated San Beda the entire game with Camille Bustamante bringing the Lady ALTAs to the match point by unleashing one from the opposite side, 24-23.
But the Lady Red Spikers threatened a comeback after forcing a 24-all deadlock due to an attack error from Almeniana. The high-flying opposite hitter, though, made up for it on the next play, completing a combination play to clinch another match point at 25-24.
Janelle Bachar then went wide on her spike from the right wing, allowing Perpetual to seal the sweep victory and claim the bronze medal.
"Sobrang sarap po sa pakiramdam na makapag-podium po kami ngayong season kasi lahat po kami nag-hirap, lahat ng pagod namin sa training, lahat ng stress nagbunga naman," Perpetual team captain Cha Enrico said.
"Sabi po talaga namin na kailangan naming makuha 'yung podium ngayon."
(It feels so good to finish on the podium this season because we all worked hard, all of our fatigue in training, all of the stress, it paid off... We really said that we needed to get the podium finish today.)
Bachar paced San Beda with 21 points while Angel Habacon was limited to just eight markers, but grabbed 13 digs and seven receptions.
—JMB, GMA News
