Perpetual Help Lady Altas star Cyrille Almeniana once again was a difference maker on Friday as her team cruised past the San Sebastian Lady Stags, 25-17, 25-16, 25-19, for their 10th win as against only two defeats in the NCAA Season 101 women’s volleyball tournament. Almeniana tallied 14 markers on 12 attacks and 2 aces while also recording 3 receptions in the win.
Afterward, she credited the team’s communication as a big key to their back-to-back wins. According to Almeniana, no less than coach Sandy Rieta instructed the Lady Altas to improve on that aspect after they lost to the Benilde Lady Blazers.
“Noong natalo po kami sa Benilde, inayos po namin yung kailangan pang ayusin sa loob ng court. Tapos sabi po ni coach kailangan pa daw po namin ng tapang pa at saka communication [and] tiwala sa sarili,” Alemaniana told Rebanse.
Almeniana Stresses Need to Give Best Effort
With only one game remaining on their elimination round schedule, the Lady Altas are already assured of a twice-to-beat advantage come the quarterfinals as they are guaranteed to top Group A.
Even so, Almeniana admitted that she and the rest of the Lady Altas are still nervous ahead of their match with the Mapua Lady Cardinals. That’s because they are aiming to end the eliminations on a winning note to potentially build momentum for the playoffs. While there are butterflies still in what’s essentially a no-bearing game for them, Almeniana emphasized they’ll give their best no matter what.
“Kinakabahan po kami, pero hindi po kailangan na ganun pa rin porket ranked one kami, hindi kami magre-relax,” she said. “Kailangan pa rin po namin ibigay ‘yung best namin.”
She also pointed out that the best version of the Lady Altas is yet to come.
“Hindi pa po [ito ang best version namin]. Mas ibibigay pa po namin ‘yung best namin [sa] lahat,” she further told Rebanse.
Perpetual will play against Mapua on March 8, Sunday, at 12:00 noon.
