Perpetual, Arellano open NCAA volleyball bids on high note

Games Thursday

(The Arena, San Juan)

9 a.m. – Perpetual Help vs Jose Rizal (m)

            Arellano vs Mapua (m)

            St. Benilde vs Letran (m)

            San Sebastian vs  Lyceum (m)

            San Beda vs EAC (m)

MANILA, Philippines – Perpetual Help and Arellano University jumpstarted their title bids by downing Jose Rizal, and Mapua, respectively, at the start of the 90th NCAA women's volleyball competition at the MOA Arena in Pasay City Wednesday.

The Lady Altas bucked a faulty start with a strong finish as they turned back the vastly improved Lady Bombers, 22-25, 25-18, 25-20, 25-19, to set in motion their ambitious four-peat feat aspirations.

Rookies Ma. Lourdes Clemente and Cindy Imbo filled the vacuum left by last year's MVP Honey Royce Tubino and leader Norie Jane Diaz by combining for 32 hits to lead the Las Pinas-based school to its first win.

The 6-2 Clemente, a prized find from Bulacan, unleashed a match-high 20 hits, 16 on kills and four from blocks, while the diminutive but athletic Imbo, who hails from Cagayan de Oro, scattered 12 to help in the cause.

"Nice, strong start for us," said Perpetual Help coach Sammy Acaylar in Filipino before leaving to coach a club team the Phl Super Liga in nearby Cuneta Astrodome.

More impressive was Arellano U, which routed an over-matched Mapua side, 25-12, 25-20, 25-20, thanks to strong efforts by the power-spiking pair of CJ Rosario and Danna Henson.

Rosario, sister of National University basketball stalwart Troy, unloaded 19 points, 17 coming on attacks, while Henson sprayed the Lady Cardinals with 16 hits.

The Lady Chiefs are hoping to win their first volleyball championship after coming one game away from seizing last season.

"Hopefully this year," said Arellano Management Committee representative Peter Cayco, who chairs the group organizing volleyball.

Meanwhile, NCAA men's volleyball opens Thursday with another heavy five-game schedule starting with five-peat-seeking Perpetual Help battling Mapua at The Arena in San Juan City at 9 a.m.