San Beda, Perpetual duel in NCAA volley

MANILA, Philippines - Erstwhile unbeaten San Beda College and defending champion University of Perpetual Help System Dalta clash today at resumption of the NCAA women’s volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.

The Lady Red Spikers hope to bounce back from their first loss of the season before the Christmas break. After a school-best 5-0 start, San Beda suffered a 25-23, 24-26, 15-25, 25-19, 7-15 decision to San Sebastian College last Dec. 6.

But the Lady Red Spikers need to bring on their A-game to neutralize the three-peat seeking Lady Altas in the televised duel set at 12:30 p.m.

The loss dropped San Beda into a three-way tie with Arellano University and College of Saint Benilde at 5-1.

Service specialist Janine Marciano, who struggled against the Lady Stags, is again expected to lead the Lady Red Spikers.

Tied with San Sebastian and Emilio Aguinaldo College at fourth place (4-2), Perpetual Help is in a must-win situation with another loss to send the Las Piñas-based spikers to the brink of elimination in the single-round preliminaries.

Ace attacker Honey Royse Tubino and reigning MVP Norie Diaz are tipped to play key roles for the Lady Altas.

Lyceum and Letran clash in a battle of also-ran teams at 2:30 p.m.