Perpetual Help out-steadies Arellano, completes three-peat in NCAA women’s volleyball

University of Perpetual Help completed a hat-trick of titles in NCAA women’s volleyball as it overcame Arellano University, 17-25 25-22 25-16 25-27 15-6, on Thursday at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Honey Royse Tubino, the MVP of the 89th Season, was a steady presence for the Lady Altas, who had a slow start and lost the opening set before getting their act together.

The spiker from Zamboanga came up with 35 points from 30 spikes and five blocks as the Las Piñas-based squad won the title for a third consecutive year.

Norie Jane Diaz, last year's top player, added 18 points as Perpetual Help also scored twin titles yet again, after the Altas clinched their fourth straight men’s crown on Monday.

From 7-6 in the deciding set, Perpetual Help poured in eight consecutive points, with Tubino leading the way.

"Noong fourth set pagod na ako pero sabi ko gagawin ko ang best ko para wag bumitiw may champion heart ako at di ako papatalo," said Tubino.

Perpetual Help won the opening match of the best-of-three series before Arellano evened it in the second match.

It was a huge emotional win for Tubino and Diaz, who played their last game with the Lady Altas.

"Sabi ko sa teammates ko [after game two] di pa tapos ang lahat di pa tayo talo," said the outgoing team captain.

Menchie Tubiera had 16 points, Elaine Sagun added 13, while CJ Rosario and Danna Henson contributed 10 each for the Lady Chiefs, who were making their first appearance in the NCAA final.

Unfortunately for Arellano skipper Lexy Lou Oserio and Mary Jane Ticar, they end their NCAA careers without a tiara. - Mei-Lin Lozada, SPIN