The Perpetual Help Lady Altas of Head Coach Michael ‘Macky’ Cariño open their title bid in an explosive match against the San Beda University Lioness as the NCAA Season 94 women’s volleyball competition unfolds on Friday at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Gametime is 2 p.m.
The team will parade its new lineup following the exit of middle blocker Lourdes Clemente, who transferred to La Salle-Taft.
The Lady Altas, determined to regain their glory days, are bannered by team captain Yanca Tripoli and setter Necelle Gual, outside spikers Cindy Imbo, Jhona Rosal, middle blockers Shyra Umandal and rookie Jenny Gaviola from St. Francis of Assisi College and libero Allysa Sangalang.
Carino will also parade his talented rookies Sandra Dayao, a transferee from Far Eastern University Manila, Janie Padua from Eastern Pangasinan Agriculture College, Hannah Suico from Notre Dame of Dadiangas and Charina Scott from Naic, Cavite.
Other members of the team are setter Angielou Castillo, middle blocker Hershey Llorente and libero Jowie Albert Verzosa.
The Lady Altas finished with a 7-2 card last season and entered the Final Four, where they lost to the SBU Lioness in the crossover semis.
The Las Piñas City-based volleybelles won the title in 2012, 2013 and 2014, during the era of Royce Tubino, April Sartin, Jane Diaz and Sandy Delos Santos.
“Very impressive ang ipinakita ng mga bata nitong pre-season in the Premier Volleyball League and the University Games in Dumaguete City. We are aiming first for a Final Four berth, then ibang usapan na kapag nasa semis ka na,” said Cariño.
In another game, the champion Arellano Lady Chiefs take on the JRU Lady Bombers at 12 noon.
