University of Perpetual Help System Dalta started on a tear in its National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 98 women’s volleyball tournament campaign after stringing three consecutive wins.
Behind the Lady Altas’ stellar performance is a reliable winger in Mary Rhose Dapol, who has been consistent on both offense and floor defense in the league’s opening week.
The third year open spiker averaged 21.3 points in Perpetual’s three outings enough to earn the nod of the Collegiate Press Corps for the honor of being the first NCAA Player of the Week presented by San Miguel Corporation and Philippine Sports Commission.
Dapol registered a career-high 28 points in the Lady Altas’ 25-23, 16-25, 25-14, 25-22 victory over Jose Rizal University last Tuesday which highlighted her productive outings.
The 23-year-old Dapol also poured in 19 markers and eight digs in Perpetual’s stunner over powerhouse Arellano University over the weekend.
Her gallant showing was not left unnoticed as the Press Corps composed of sportswriters from the country’s broadsheet, tabloid and online publications covering the beat chose Dapol for the weekly citation backed by MNL Kingpin, Tinapayan Festival, and Jockey as minor sponsors.
Dapol edged out teammate rookie Shaila Omipon, College of Saint Benilde’s Jade Gentapa and Gayle Pascual, Mapua University’s Roxie dela Cruz, and Arellano University’s Laika Tudlasan the award.
But while her efforts have been outstanding, Dapol remains cautious of the Lady Altas getting complacent. She knows that Perpetual has to iron out some chinks in its game especially when it faces defending champion and unbeaten Lady Blazers on Tuesday at the San Andres Sports Complex.
“Natuto na kami nu’ng Season 97 na ang dami naming kailangang punan ngayong Season 98 which is ‘yung service and receive. Then, yung mga skills na meron kami like blocking and yung mga palo namin na kailangan meron kami sa court para ma-execute namin lahat ng skills na meron kami,” Dapol said.
Perpetual aims to get back into the Final Four for the first time since 2019, when they went all the way to the finals before eventually bowing down to the Lady Chiefs.
