Perpetual wards off Letran in NCAA volley

MANILA, Philippines – Three-peat-seeking Perpetual Help fought off the upset try of Letran and carved out a pulsating 22-25, 25-23, 19-25, 26-24, 15-11 victory to seize the solo lead in the men's division of the 88th NCAA volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Skipper Jay dela Cruz unloaded a game-high 23 hits, including 18 on kills, while Adam Daquer had 13 hits, eight of which came off blocks, to help the Altas snare their fourth straight victory.

Ralph Savellano scattered 13 hits to also help in the cause.

While its men's team struggled, the Las Pinas-based school's women's squad was quick and merciless in trouncing Letran, 25-12, 25-21, 25-19, to roll to its fourth victory in row that kept it atop the heap.

Reigning MVP Sandra delos Santos unloaded 17 hits he highlighted with 15 kills while team captain April Ann Sartin and Norie Ann Diaz, who teamed up in winning the women's beach volley title in the first semester this year, added 11 apiece.

Perpetual's high school team made it a triple victory for the day as it grounded Letran, 25-14, 25-20, 25-19, to boost its stock.

In other women's results, San Beda turned back a feisty Emilio Aguinaldo, 25-16,. 12-25, 25-16, 27-25, to enhance its title campaign.