By Kristel Satumbaga
Games Today
(The Arena, San Juan City)
12 nn – Perpetual vs Letran (J)
2 p.m. – Perpetual vs CSB (M)
4 p.m. – Perpetual vs Arellano (W)
University of Perpetual Help hopes to draw the first blood when it guns for a sweep in all titles in NCAA volleyball today at The Arena in San Juan City.
Its junior squad raises the curtain with a 12 noon confrontation of the Letran Squires, while the Altas clash with the College of St. Benilde Blazers in the men’s finals at 2 p.m.
Underdogs Lady Altas collide with defending champions Arellano Lady Chiefs at 4 p.m.
All final matchups will be played in a best-of-three format with the Junior Altas and the Altas seeking to retain their crowns.
The Junior Altas aim for a five-peat while the Altas gun for a seventh crown in nine years.
Focus will also be on the Lady Altas, who pulled off a stunning win over the top-seeded St. Benilde Lady Blazers on Tuesday where they rallied from a 22-11 fourth-set deficit en route to a 25-17, 27-29, 19-25, 26-24, 16-14 win.
Lady Altas coach Macky Cariño is looking at riding on the momentum of that inspiring win where his stalwarts’ mental toughness became evident.
While they displayed their strength in the crunch, Cariño knows they still have to double their efforts as they are facing a squad boasting of a deep lineup and championship experience.
“We don’t want to stop. We’re already here. We have to keep on pushing harder,” said Cariño in Filipino.
Cindy Imbo continues to be the heart and soul of the Lady Altas after a 32-point explosion the last time, but help must come from her teammates if they want to stop a hard-hitting Arellano crew.
The Lady Chiefs, who eye a three-peat crown, boast of Regine Arocha and Necole Ebuen in the frontline.