Lady Altas upbeat about NCAA chances

The University of Perpetual Help System Dalta likes its chances when Season 100 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) women’s volleyball tournament kicks off Thursday at the Arellano Gym in Legarda, Manila.

Veterans Shaila Omipon, Winnie Bedaña, Marian Andal, Camille Bustamante, Fianne Ariola, Pauline Reyes, Jodi Lozano, Nicole Gaa and Daizerlyn Uy are expected to step up for the Lady Altas after missing out on the Final Four in Season 99 after finishing with a 5-4 win-loss record.

Also expected to beef up Perpetual are rookies Jemalyn Menor, Amina Villanueva, Geraldine Palacio, Loraine Lagmay, Monica Mariano and Mika Donig.

With the centennial season of the NCAA set to introduce the double round-robin format, Lady Altas head coach Sandy Rieta is optimistic about their chances of improving their record and making a return to the Final Four.

Perpetual won’t have any trouble adjusting to the format after playing in the Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association under the banner of the Bacoor City Strikers

There, the Lady Altas-back Strikers finished the elimination round in the second seed with a 12-4 record before and earned a twice-to-beat advantage before getting eliminated by Biñan Tatak Gel Volley Angels in the semifinals.

Not returning for Season 100 are Mary Rose Dapol, Razel Aldea, Bebang Ocado and Krisha Cordero after they graduated and exhausted their playing years.