Perpetual scores first win, keeps playoffs hopes alive in SSL Unity Cup

MANILA, Philippines — University of Perpetual Help System DALTA outworked San Beda University in a challenging marathon showdown, 28-30, 25-19, 23-25, 25-17, 16-14, to enter the win column in the 2026 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Unity Cup on Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.  Jemalyn Menor took over on offense but Cyrille Almeniana delivered the crucial points in the extended deciding set as the Lady Altas bounced back from an opening-day loss. Perpetual tied idle Letran in second to third with a 1-1 win-loss record in Pool A of the league’s centerpiece competition, backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner and R&B Milk Tea.     “Talagang nagtulungan kami sa loob ng court, pinaghirapan namin talaga ito para maipanalo ‘yung game namin ngayong araw,” said Menor, who led all scorers with 25 points on 23 kills, one ace and one kill block. “Pinush lang kami ni coach (Sandy Rieta) na magtiwala lang kami sa sarili namin and nagtulungan kami sa loob ng court,” she added. It was a tight crawl to the finish line in the fifth frame. The Lady Red Spikers erased the Lady Altas’ two-point lead and knotted it at 13 after Almeniana’s tip-in went wide. She got a point back...