UPHSD shoots for triple crown in NCAA volley

UNIVERSITY of Perpetual Help System Dalta (UPHSD) guns for a rare volleyball treble as it shoots to sweep all three women, men and juniors divisions today in Season 94 NCAA tournament at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan City.

The Lady Altas brought down the Arellano University Lady Chiefs, the reigning women’s champions, with a shock 21-25, 25-17, 25-21, 25-20 victory in Game 1 of their best-of-three series last week and could complete the massive upset with another win in their 4 p.m. showdown.

The Altas, for their part, turned back the stubborn College of St. Benilde Blazers, 23-25, 25-19, 23-25, 25-23, 15-12, while the Junior Altas waylaid the Letran Squires, 25-15, 25-19, 2519, to move on the cusp of a title sweep in their respective divisions.

If UPHSD could wrap it all up today, it will be the eighth time in the league that a school swept all three divisions.

Ateneo de Manila University, a to accomplish the feat once in 1984 while San Sebastian College-Recoletos did the trick six times in 1984, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 2002.

UPHSD is eyeing a fourth women’s crown, 12th men’s title and 11th juniors’ championship.

“We’re close to achieving something special and we’re going for it,” said Sammy Acaylar, UPHSD’s athletic director and men’s volley coach.

While UPHSD’s men’s and juniors’ teams are fancied to sweep their foes, its women’s team could expect rough sailing against an Arellano team expected to bounce back from a stinging Game A defeat and send the series into a decider on Tuesday.

The Obet Javier- mentored Lady Chiefs are expected to rely on their championship experience having won three titles in the last four seasons.