By: Rom Anzures
University of Perpetual Help System DALTA secured a spot in the Final Four of the NCAA Season 98 Men’s Volleyball Tournament and extended their winning streak to 29 games with a sweep against Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 25-17, 25-16, 25-19, at the San Andres Sports Complex on Sunday.
Although the Muralla-based squad outscored the Altas in attacks in the first set, 14-10, the two-time defending champions capitalized on Letran’s 12 errors and finished the set with a Louie Ramirez drop ball on Letran’s absent floor defense.
The Knights, who fell to 3-4, attempted to come back in the final set, even after losing the second set, and got as close as five, 11-16, after a service ace by Byron Nicolas.
However, Ramirez’s 22 points on 19 attacks, two blocks, and one ace proved to be too much for Letran as Perpetual earned their seventh straight win in as many outings.
Assistant coach Michael Cariño led the Altas for the game in the absence of head tactician Sammy Acaylar. He revealed that their games against San Sebastian and San Beda served as eye-openers as they aim to finish the eliminations on a high note.
“Our past two games against Baste and San Beda, our performance was a bit poor. We wanted a clean slate and prevent any team from getting a set against us, so this performance was an all-out effort from the boys,” said Cariño, who took charge as Acaylar is with Imus-Ivy Tuason Photography in the Spikers’ Turf.
Cariño added that despite their winning streak, there is still work to be done for Perpetual to retain the title in Las Piñas.
“We still need to make a lot of adjustments. If we stop doing what we have shown in the past seven games, we might just remain steady. We rested for two years, so we’re eager to become champions again. That’s what coach Sammy has been saying. Since we rested for two years, we need to bring back the championship to Las Piñas,” he said.
John Christian Enarciso led Perpetual with two attacks and 22 excellent sets, while Joshua Zareno contributed 10 points and six excellent digs. Jefferson Marapoc and Michael Medalla also scored six points each.
Angel Canzana led the Knights with 11 points, six excellent digs, and 11 excellent receptions, while Justine Alejandro and Vince Himzon scored nine and eight points, respectively.
In an earlier match, San Beda University eliminated Lyceum of the Philippines University from Final Four contention after sweeping them, 25-13, 25-21, 25-12.
The Red Spikers, who are coming from a four-set loss against Perpetual Help, kept their postseason hopes alive as they improved to 4-3, led by Jerome Lopez’s solitary point alongside 17 excellent sets.
Lyceum struggled against San Beda on both ends, landing only 19 attacks on 81 tries and failing to stop San Beda’s 48 attacks on 83 attempts.
Ken Umali benefited most from Lopez’s sets, scoring 10 points that all came from attacks. Ralph Cabalsa also put up nine attacks together with two aces, while Justine Santos and Alener Musning contributed seven each.
No one from the Pirates scored in double digits, and they only relied on Charles Garcia who scored five, and Kier Tibayan and Harvie Dizon who each scored four points. Lyceum remains winless in seven games.
