THE Perpetual Help Junior Lady Altas look to draw first blood as they take on defending champions Arellano University Lady Braves in Game 1 of the Best-of-Three Finals of the NCAA Season 101 Volleyball Fiesta (Girls Division) on Thursday at the Arellano Gym in Pasay City.
Both teams marched into the championship round with authority, securing twice-to-beat incentives in the Final Four after dispatching the Emilio Aguinaldo College Lady Brigadiers and the Lyceum of the Philippines-GenTri Lady Pirates, respectively.
Perpetual holds a psychological edge heading into the series, having beaten Arellano in their lone elimination-round meeting, 25-17, 25-21.
For head coach Sandy Rieta, however, the Finals present an entirely different challenge.
“It’s a different game because the title is at stake. It’s better to get the first win in the series, it boosts the morale of the kids,” said Rieta during a recent practice at The Home of the Altas gym in Las Piñas.
Rieta will lean on key players Sherrie Rose Acosta, Elizha Sildo, Ramiel Panganiban, Isabel Baser, Joycelle Casil, Jasmin Monte, and Janine Espiritu to counter the Arellano squad of coach Robert Javier, bannered by Catherine Chu, Penelope Vargas, Kriselle Pecana, and Kallah Espinosa.
The Finals mark the third straight season that the two programs will meet for the title.
Perpetual ruled their first encounter in 2024 behind Finals MVP Jemalyn Menor—now part of the Lady Altas lineup—while Arellano bounced back last season, capturing the Season 100 crown led by MVP Samantha Maranan.
Meanwhile, the Lady Brigadiers and Lady Pirates will clash for third place at 8 a.m.
Also set are the boys’ division semifinals, with defending champion Junior Altas Spikers facing the Mapua Red Robins in Group A, and the Letran Squires battling the Arellano Braves in Group B.
