Janeth Tulang showed the way as Lyceum edged Perpetual in a tight straight set victory 25-23, 25-19, 25-16 to jumpstart its campaign in the NCAA Season 97 women’s volleyball tournament on Sunday, June 12 at the Paco Arena.
It was a nip-and-tuck affair in the first two sets with Lyceum leaning on Tulang and Denise Dolorito in the opening set before the squad got a huge lift from the likes of Jewel Maligmat and Zonxi Dahab to shake off Perpetual in the second and third frames.
Tulang exploded for 20 points powered by 15 kills, three aces and two blocks while Dolorito added 11 markers.
The Lady Pirates however had to fend off the tough stand from Lady Altas who embarked to a 6-2 run which knotted a 21-21 affair after trailing 19-15 early in the opening set. A sharp jump serve from Dahab broke the deadlock before both squads traded errors as Lyceum eked out a tight first set win.
That has been the story of the match as the Lady Pirates survived another tough stand in the second frame to take a commanding 2-0 set lead.
Perpetual tried to keep in step with the Lyceum in the onset of the third canto but the Lady Pirates went on to score nine-straight points to pull away for good.