University of Perpetual Help System Dalta (UPHSD) Altas shut the door for a College of St. Benilde (CSB) Blazers comeback in five gruelling sets, 25-23, 25-23, 25-14, 25-19, and 15-12 to remain perfect in their Spikers’ Turf 2nd Season Collegiate Conference campaign Wednesday afternoon at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
The Perps’ solid quick attacks and staggering net defense in the match’s curtain-raiser allowed them to convert a slim 16-14 lead to as wide as six to take set point, 24-18. The Taft-based Blazers, however, feasted off drops and unforced errors by their counterparts, scoring five straight to inch by one, 24-23. However, a net touch call by the official halted their comeback and allowed UPHSD to take the set, 25-23.
CSB went off to a good start in the following frame, but a string of errors from their side helped UPHSD regain momentum, with the Altas switching an 8-6 deficit in their favor, 16-15. From there, both squads exchanged rallies which saw seven deadlocks and seven lead changes. With the set all locked at 23, the Las Piñas-based Altas scored off a drop and an error to go up two sets to none with the same score, 25-23.
The Blazers regained their groove on the offensive end during the third set. Down 8-7 early, CSB, through their cross-court attacks and service aces, coasted to a five-point, 16-11 lead. UPHSD drowned in their own errors, and with Johnvic De Guzman and Isiah Arda carrying the load for CSB, the Blazers snatched the third set by eleven points, 25-14, to make it 2-1.
CSB sustained rhythm in the fourth set and played like a well-oiled machine as their cross-court attacks gave UPHSD a hard time defending. They were even able to widen the gap to six and inch within striking distance to set point, 20-14. However, the Perps surged from behind and threatened to mount a comeback, 23-19, but that proved to be their last run as De Guzman scored twice, 25-19, sending the match to a fifth and deciding set.
UPHSD set aside their two straight set losses and regained their bearings in the fifth and final set. With Rey Taneo leading the way, the Altas coasted to seven-point, 12-5 advantage. With an easy finish looming, CSB ran back, slowly chipping away the wide gap to close within two, 14-12. But Taneo once again starred for the Perps, scoring from an off-the-block hit to secure the set, 15-12, and the match.
“Yun ang problema sa kanila. Nananalo sila two sets, tapos nagrerelax,” said UPHSD head coach Sammy Acaylar, on the Altas dropping the third and fourth sets. “[Pero ako] gusto ko, in-between, nahihirapan sila para natutunan nila mag-focus kahit pagod sila,” he followed.
Four Altas spikers scored in double figures, with Taneo leading the team with 20 points. Relan Taneo and Allan Sala-an each scored 13, while Manuel Doliente added 10.
De Guzman served as the Blazers’ lynchpin on offense as he led all scorers with 25 markers.
The defending NCAA champions (3-0) will face FEU Tamaraws on Monday, August 22, at 12PM also at the PhilSports Arena. CSB (0-3), on the other hand, will play the NU Bulldogs this Saturday, August 20, 10 AM at the FilOil Flying V Center.
Box scores:
UPHSD (3) – Taneo 20, Taneo 13, Sala-an 13, Doliente 10, Ramos 5, Muhali 2, Narvasa 2.
CSB (2) – De Guzman 25, Arda 18, Orian 6, Basilan 6, Bacani 4, Magsino 3, Jordan 2, Deximo 1.
