Perpetual downs St. Benilde, keeps lead in NCAA volley

MANILA, Philippines – Perpetual Help pulled off a pair of emphatic victories over St. Benilde to continue to lead the men's and women's divisions while San Sebastian stretched its unbeaten run to four to remain atop the juniors helm in the 88th NCAA volleyball competitions at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Altas, the reigning men's champions, manhandled the Blazers, 25-21, 25-21, 25-15, to extend its amazing run to seven while the Lady Altas, the defending women's titlists, were equally merciless in downing the Lady Blazers, 25-23, 25-16, 25-23, to remain on top with a 6-1 (win-loss) record.

The Staglets, for their part, bucked an opening set defeat and a strong second set challenge as it overcame the Letran Squires, 22-25, 27-25, 25-15, 25-17, to keep their lofty perch and remain the only undefeated squad in the boys' section with four wins.

The Lady Stags, in contrast, averted a late meltdown as it turned back the gritty Lady Squires, 25-12, 25-19, 18-25, 25-10, to come out of a three-way logjam for second spot with the Emilio Aguinaldo Lady Generals and the Arellano U Lady Chiefs by posting their fifth triumph against a lone setback for solo No. 2.

Perpetual Help skipper Jay dela Cruz led the attack with 13 hits, eight coming from spikes and the rest off the blocks, while Rex Castro scattered 10 hits to help the Las Pinas-based spikers keep their pristine 7-0 slate.

The Lady Altas, for their part, needed strong efforts from the power-hitting foursome of reigning MVP Sandra delos Santos, Honey Royse Tubino, Norie Jane Diaz and team captain April Ann Sartin, who combined for a whopping 43 hits, in helping them get back on their feet following a heartbreaking 28-30, 25-19, 15-25, 25-27 defeat to EAC Tuesday.