Reigning NCAA champion Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) Generals overwhelmed the National College of Business and Arts (NCBA) Wildcats in straight sets, 25-18, 25-12, 25-14 to take game one of the battle for third in the Spikers Turf Season One Collegiate Conference at the FilOil Flying V Arena, Saturday afternoon.
In the first set with the Generals at 19-13 advantage, the Wildcats relied on its blocking to cut the lead to two, 19-17. However, Howard Mojica and Isarael Encina delivered for the Generals totake a 22-19 advantage. Errors coming from the Wildcats also helped the Generals to seale the first set for the San Marcelino based squad.
Once again Mojica and Encina, along with Mark Arias, blasted the Wildcats in the early goings of the second set to establish an 8-2 lead for the Generals. Three service aces from Mojica afterwards helped the Generals continue their offensive onslaught as the Wildcats didn’t have any answers to counter the Generals.
The Generals continues their offensive brilliance in the third set with Mojica leading the way, as the Wildcats committed errors that helped the Generals to further create separation. Mojica unloaded a quick hit to give the Generals a 21-11 lead against the Wildcats. While NCBA was able to score three straight points from EAC Errors, Kerth Melliza scored two straight points to bring the Generals at match point, 24-14 and Jan Cedric Item blocked Jason Canlas to end the match for the Generals.
EAC Head Coach Rod Palmero said he wanted to finish the game in straight sets to give them greater quotient points against the Wildcats in case the championship series between the Ateneo Blue Eagles and National University Bulldogs ends early.
“Motivation ko sa mga players namin na makuha yung laro ng straight sets para makakuha ng points(quotients points) if case na mag champion kaagad sa gold. At least secure kami sa third place,” said Palmero.
Palmero also added the Spikers Turf Collegiate Conference is also a stepping stone for the team to prepared them for the NCAA men’s volleyball tournament in a few months, as they also reflect on what went wrong during their semifinals series against the National University Bulldogs.
“This is a stepping stone to NCAA, kaya tuloy-tuloy ang preparation. Natuto namin this conference na dapat maging consistent kami sa blocking lalo kasi doon kami nagkulang sa NU,” Palmero added.
Mojica scored 21 points including nine service aces to lead the Generals while guest player setter April Pagtalunan tossed 37 excellent sets.
Guest player Edwin Tolentino was the lone Wildcat in double digits with 10 points while fellow guest player Reyson Fuentes chipped eight points.
Game Two of the battle of bronze between the Generals and the Wildcats will be played on September 26 at 3:00 PM in the same venue.
The scores:
EAC (3) – Mojica 21, Encina 9, Doguna 9, Melliza 8, Arias 4, Item 1, Pagtalunan 0,Gorospe 0, Bihag 0, Cilocilo 0, Mangaring (L)
NCBA (0) – Tolentino 10, Fuentes 8, Canlas 6, Domingo 1, Oclima C. 1, Oclima R. 1, Valenzuela 1, Nidua 0, Nullar 0, Ugoy 0, Escobido (L)
