After their classic showdown last Saturday, the De La Salle College of Saint Benilde Blazers and the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Altas made short work of their respective opponents, the San Beda College Red Spikers and Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, to keep their Final Four bids on track, Monday at the FilOil Flying V Arena, San Juan City.
In the day’s last offering, Perpetual carried their energy from last weekend to outclass the Heavy Bombers in straight sets, 25-16 25-20 25-19. JRU kept it close in terms of attacks, only trailing 35-37 in that department. However, the Altas used their height advantage to man the net and led 7-1 on blocks. The Las Piñas-based crew also had three more service aces, 4-1. Perpetual had a clinical game, committing only 18 points as opposed to JRU’s 27.
Team skipper Bonjomar Castel led the Altas with 12 points, with Rey Taneo Jr. following suit with 11. All but one of the spikers fielded by Coach Sammy Acaylar scored for Perpetual. Roden Pulongbarit carried the Bombers with 12 markers.
Castel said that it was their discipline and hard work in training that had brought Perpetual to this five-game winning streak. “Sa loob ng court, lahat nagcocontribute, walang star sa ‘min,” he added. The primary reason why the Altas are playing loose and confident is that, as Castel ended, “kailangan naming mabalik yung title namin.”
The Scores:
UPHSD (3) – Castel 12, R Jr. Taneo 11, Doliente 7, Abcede 4, Ramos 4, Sala-an 4, Ytorzaita 3, Catipay 1, R. Taneo 1, Kasim 1, Kalingking (L), Baroy (L)
JRU (0) – Pulongbarit 12, Manzanas 9, Sulivas 6, Lahaylahay 5, Dampitan 3, Siojo 2, Castillo 0, Francisco 0, Defensor (L), Flor (L)
The Blazers, on the other hand, started the day with a bounce-back win, defeating San Beda in four sets, 25-16 23-25 25-18 25-21. CSB edged the Red Spikers on attacks and blocks, 53-46, led by star opposite hitter Johnvic De Guzman with 22 kills. Jethro Orian paced the Taft-based squad at the net with 5 blocks of the team’s total of 11. In the second set, it was the clutch hits by burly wing attacker Mark Enciso, which won the frame for San Beda.
CSB had a scare in the first set after Isaah Arda landed badly, spraining his left ankle in the process. The powerful outside hitter did not return to the match, but was able to get out of the dugout. After the game, Arda said that he was hurt, but he could still move his left ankle. His replacement, Owen Bacani, produced eight points.
Enciso ended the match with 13 markers to lead the Red Spikers. De Guzman led all scorers with 23. Racky Etrone clinched 12 markers, 9 from attacks, to lead the Blazers’ supporting cast.
The Scores:
CSB (3) – De Guzman 23, Etrone 12, Orian 11, Bacani 8, Jordan 7, Deximo 4, Arda 3, Garcia 0, Dy (L), Amparo (L)
SBC (1) – Enciso 13, Zabala 11, Mascariñas 11, K. Gonzales 9, Manliclic 4, Desuyo 4, Viray 1, Patenio 0, Casin (L)
