MANILA, Philippines - Perpetual Help came through with a pair of victories over San Sebastian to seize the solo lead in the men's and women's divisions of the 88th NCAA indoor volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City the other day.
The Lady Altas needed the full, five-set route to turn back the stubborn Lady Stags, 25-19, 22-25, 25-14, 20-25, 21-19, to jump from a share of the lead with St. Benilde (1-0) and Arellano U (1-0) to first place in this event organized by a league committee chaired by Frank Gusi of San Sebastian.
The Altas were quicker and meaner in manhandling the Stags, 25-20, 25-20, 25-21, to likewise post their second win in a row in the men's side ahead of San Beda (1-0), Arellano U (1-0) and Lyceum (1-0).
National team mainstay Honey Royce Tubino unloaded 21 of her game-high 28 hits on kills while reigning MVP Sandra delos Santos unleashed 27 hits, 14 on attack and 10 on blocks, to help the Las Pinas-based lady spikers preserve their unblemished slate.
And they did it in the absence of skipper April Ann Sartin, who was rested due to illness.
Team captain Jay dela Cruz and Adam Daquer fired 14 hits while Ralph Savellano scattered 12 hits to boost Perpetual Help's three-peat feat campaign.
Perpetual Help though failed to make it a sweep after its juniors' squad absorbed a 21-25, 21-25, 23-25 defeat at the hands of San Sebastian that sent it to its first defeat.
The win, in contrast, catapulted the Junior Stags atop the heap with a pristine 2-0 card.