Perpetual cruises past San Sebastian to bag NCAA women’s volley crown

MANILA, Philippines – Perpetual Help turned what was expected to be a close game into a ghastly rout with a quick, merciless 25-19, 25-17, 25-16 victory over San Sebastian to crown itself the 88th NCAA women's volleyball competition champion at The Arena in San Juan City.

Power-hitting Honey Royse Tubino led the carnage with a game-high 17 hits, 14 on spikes and three on blocks, while skipper April Anne Sartin scattered 15 hits he laced with three service aces to help the Altas complete a 2-1 series win over the Stags for their second straight crown.

The Lady Altas' victory thus completed a double-victory by the Las Pinas-based school as their men's counterparts also lorded it over their division via a second consecutive title sweep for a three-peat feat.

Last year's MVP Sandra de los Santos scattered 12 hits, but it was Norie Jane Diaz who emerged the Finals MVP after her pivotal 21-hit effort in a 21-25, 25-12, 28-26, 29-27 Game Two win Monday that forged a deciding Game Three.

It was the 20-year-old Diaz's second MVP trophy after also bagging honors and helping Perpetual Help win the championship in the beach volley competition in at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone last year.

So surprisingly quick and easy was the Lady Altas' win in the decider that it surprised even their coach.

"I didn't expect to win Game Three this easy because I was expecting San Sebastian to really give it all," said Jason Sapin, who won his first crown right on his rookie season, in Filipino.

"I have to give this win to the players, who worked and trained hard the whole season for this title," he added.

Rookie sensation Gretchel Soltones paced the Lady Stags, who took the series opener, 26-24, 26-24, 22-25, 27-25, Friday, with 15 hits and would have scored more if not for the Perpetual Help defense that put a lid to his dangerous attacking game.

"It was really our game plan from the start to watch over her and neutralize her attacking game," said Sapin, referring to the crisp-spiking Soltones.