Altas eye 4th straight title in NCAA women’s volleyball

Games Wednesday

(MOA Arena, Pasay)

8 a.m. – Opening Ceremony

9 a.m. – Arellano U vs Mapua (w)

            Perpetual vs Jose Rizal (w)

            St. Benilde vs Letran (w)

            San Sebastian vs Lyceum (w)

            San Beda vs Emilio Aguinaldo (w)

MANILA, Philippines – Perpetual Help opens its bid for a fourth straight championship as it clashes with Jose Rizal in Wednesday's start of the 90th NCAA women's volleyball competition at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.

The Lady Altas, who won their third straight title by edging out the Arellano University Lady Chiefs in three games last year, will have to make do without their veterans and former MVP winners Royse Tubino and Norie Jane Diaz, who have already graduated.

Perpetual coach Sammy Acaylar said Jamela Suyat, Cindy Imbo, Anna James Diocareza, Shyrra Cabriana, Coleen Bravo, Lourdes Clemente and Vhima Condada are expected to step up in the absence of Tubino and Diaz.

"Although we will miss them (Tubino, Diaz), I have faith in my other players that they can get the job done," said Acaylar in Filipino.

Expected to give Perpetual Help a run for its money are Arellano U, last year's runner up, and San Sebastian, a semifinalist a season ago.

The Lady Chiefs are expected to draw strength from CJ Rosario, sister of UAAP Most Improved Player Troy of National U, while the Lady Stags should rely heavily on the coaching savvy of multi-titled coach Roger Gorayeb and Shakey's V-League veteran Gretchel Soltones and talented libero Alyssa Eroa.

Arellano U is scheduled to open up hostilities by tackling Mapua at 9 a.m. while San Sebastian will play in the fourth game against Lyceum.

The other matches of the heavy five-game bill will pit St. Benilde against Letran in the third game and San Beda versus Emilio Aguinaldo College in the fifth and final match of the day.

Arellano U's Peter Cayco, who chairs the group organizing volleyball, said Shakey's V-League's Moying Martelino will be guest speaker in simple opening rights set at 8 a.m.

Tony Liao is the league commissioner.

The men's competition unfolds the next day with Perpetual Help ushering in its sixth-peat feat campaign by facing off Jose Rizal at The Arena in San Juan City.