The defending champions University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Altas shook off rust and the stubborn San Sebastian College Recolletos Golden Stags in three sets, 25-23, 25-20, 25-21, to register their fifth win of the season, Wednesday afternoon at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
NCAA Season 91 Beach Volleyball Most Valuable Player Rey Taneo Jr. paced the Las Piñas spikers with 17 of the team’s 48 spikes.
The Altas also defended the net with nine blocks, with opposite hitter Allan Sala-an leading with three rejections.
Christian Calonia carried the fight for Stags, who are missing their skipper Jahir Ebrahim in this game, with 11 markers.
Aside from their tenacity on the floor with 25 digs and 24 excellent receptions, the 30 errors off the Altas kept the Mendiola squad in the match.
Perpetual head coach Sammy Acaylar admitted that the long break might have been a factor in their sluggish movements. He also added, “I do a lot of conditioning and I know, as a coach, na mabigat sila. Although may powerful spike sila, they have powerful jumping ability, yung flexibility nila, yung agility nila, di pa nadedevelop.”
The decorated mentor shared, “I said na hindi ako satisfied sa performance ninyo kasi sa practice natin, maganda yung ineensayo natin. Maybe nakaapekto yung conditioning, pero as a player, hindi dapat yun maging reason natin.”
The reigning champions (at 5-1) will face the challenge of the Lyceum Pirates (3-3) this coming Friday, January 20. Meanwhile, the Golden Stags (2-5) hope to end their season on a winning note as they battle league-leading CSB Blazers (7-1) on January 25.
The Scores
UPHSD (3) – Taneo Jr. 17, Sala-an 13, Kasim 10, Doliente 9, Ramos 7, R. Taneo 2, Rosales 0, Atentar 0, Narvasa 0, S. Taneo 0, Kalingking L, Balmores L.
SSC-R (0) – Calonia 11, Sanchez 8, A. Ongque 7, Eugenio 5, Ronato 3, Lazaro 0, A.C. Ongque 0, Toledo L.
