Shaila Omipon lived up to the expectations as she steered University of Perpetual Help System DALTA to a 25-18, 28-26, 25-16 victory over San Beda University in the NCAA Season 100 women's volleyball tournament on Saturday.
The third year outside spiker churned out 16 points while also grabbing five digs and four receptions as the Lady ALTAs opened their campaign with a 1-2 card. The Lady Red Spikers, meanwhile, started their run with a 0-1.
"Malaking boost para sa team na 'yung first game napanalo agad, hopefully mandala namin 'yung kumpiyansa," Perpetual head coach Sandy Rieta told GMA News Online.
After escaping a tight second set, Perpetual needed to break a 9-all deadlock by unleashing a 9-2 rampage led by Camille Bustamante to bring the Las Piñas crew to a huge 18-11 cushion.
Perpetual, who lost seniors Mary Rhose Dapol, Razel Aldea, and Jhasmine Sapin to graduation, banked on new go-to spiker Pauline Reyes, whose powerful attack sent the Lady ALTAs to a 22-14 lead as they turned what was once a close affair to an eight-point advantage.
Omipon then put on the finishing kick by scoring back-to-back attacks for a 24-15 match point before Bustamante put the finishing kick from the open side.
Sophomore Angel Habacon paced San Beda with 10 points while Rianne Bedural and Chynna Castillo chipped in eight and seven markers apiece.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
