The defending NCAA champs University of Perpetual Help System – Dalta Altas made quick work of the Philippines Marine Merchant School Mariners in the Spikers’ Turf Collegiate Conference debut 25-17, 15-16, 25-23 at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
The Taneo brothers Rey and Relan towed the Altas offense scoring 14 and 10 points respectively while explosive middle blocker Manuel Doliente contributed nine markers.
“Well of course, I’m happy, but then ‘yung inexpect kong ilalaro nila hindi pa lumabas. First game namin kasi ito, so parang nanibago sila. Happy ako sa mga bata ko. Mayroon lang silang konting lapses at mayroon lang silang [tendency] maging complancent after manalo ng dalawang set,” said Perpetual head coach Sammy “The Drill Master” Acaylar.
After cruising in the first two sets, Perpetual almost let the third frame slip as the Mariners limited their errors. Down 18-19, Perpetual found timely contributions from Rey and Relan down the stretch to take a 24-23 advantage. Doliente closed the match with a booming block.
“We are the [defending NCAA] champions. Sabi ko nga sa kanila, dapat kapag NCAA champion ka, ipakita natin at iparamdam natin dito sa Spikers’ Turf na tayo ang champion ng NCAA. Siyempre, I said to them na hindi dapat nawawala ang pride nila bilang isang champion,” Acaylar recalled telling his wards before they mustered the closing push.
Team captain Erickson Chan and Keyvin Premaylon led PMMS with seven points apiece. The Mariners nearly matched Perpetual’s effort on each scoring skill but coughed up 32 errors, double of Perpetual’s.
The Altas (1-0) next take on the De La Salle University Green Spikers (1-0), who Acaylar used to coach, on Saturday 10 a.m. at the PhilSports Arena.
“Well of course, the team of La Salle is very strong. Nakita ko ‘yung players nila, they have potential and they have good height kahit bago [pa lang] si Coach Nes. Nes naman is a very good coach and I know he can handle the team,” Acaylar closed.
The Scores
UPHSD (3) – Taneo Rey 14, Taneo Relan 10, Doliente 9, Kasim 7, Ramos 3, Abcede 2, Catipay 1, Rosales 1, Narvasa 0, Muhali 0, Kalingking (L)
PMMS (0) – Chan 7, Premaylon 7, Fortaleza 6, Pakingan 5, Balanga 4, Rosete 3, Gapaz 1, Gumera 1, Hasim 1, Santos (L), Llanera (L)
