UPH paces NCAA volley; Altas win 42nd in a row

MANILA, Philippines - Back-to-back champion University of Perpetual Help Lady Altas outlasted Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) 25-21, 12-25, 25-15, 25-21, and reached the semifinals after the elimination round of the National Collegiate Athletics Association season 89 women’s volleyball tournament at the Filoil Arena in San Juan.

National mainstay Honey Royce Tubino scored three consecutive kills to lead the Las Piñas-based Lady Spikers to a 21-16 lead in the fourth frame. Tubino finished with 24 points, 22 spikes and two aces.

Imus, Cavite native and Season 88 MVP Norie Jane Diaz added 12 points, two aces and 12 digs.

The Lady Altas finished the single round elimination with a 7-2 win-loss record.

Meanwhile, the four-peat seeking Altas men’s team swept the nine-game elimination with a 25-22, 25-23, 25-10 conquest of the Emilio Aguinaldo Generals for a record 42 straight wins since Season 86.

The Altas face fourth-ranked St. Benilde Blazers Jan. 20, at 3 p. m., while the third-ranked Lady Altas fight second-ranked St. Benilde Lady Spikers at 1:30 p.m.