By: Rom Anzures
Coming off where they left off in NCAA Season 95, University of Perpetual Help System DALTA swept Emilio Aguinaldo College, 25-22, 25-22, 25-22, to open its three-peat bid, Sunday at San Andres Sports Complex.
The Altas have won 28 straight elimination round games and have won 32 of their last 33, including back-to-back championships in Seasons 93 and 94.
In the deciding set, EAC was closing in on Perpetual’s lead at 20-20 after scoring five straight points. But Joshua Zareno’s trio of attacks swung the momentum back in favor of the Altas.
Team captain Louie Ramirez then ended the game with his own attack right through the Generals’ blockers, securing yet another 25-22 set for Perpetual.
Ramirez led the way for Perpetual with 15 points, 13 attacks, and two blocks, while Zareno contributed 13 points and 10 attacks.
Marvin Romero was the top scorer for EAC with 13 points and 12 attacks, alongside Joshua Ramilo who also scored 13. However, timely errors prevented EAC from capitalizing on their scoring runs.
Meanwhile, San Beda University began its campaign with a thrilling 28-26, 19-25, 25-22, 25-23 victory over Colegio de San Juan de Letran.
After a closely-contested start to the match, with each team winning one set, San Beda held their nerve in the third and fourth sets. They withstood all of Letran’s attempts to get back into the game.
Ken Umali’s attack in the closing stages of the fourth set extended San Beda’s lead to 23-21. Then a net touch from the Red Spikers allowed Letran to reduce the deficit to one point at 24-23. However, Ryan Rosman’s attack secured the victory for San Beda.
Umali was the top scorer for San Beda with 18 points and three excellent digs. Meanwhile, Ralph Cabalsa contributed 16 markers, with 15 of those coming from attacks.
With only team captain Jerome Lopez remaining from the previous season, San Beda coach Ariel Dela Cruz acknowledged the importance of the win for a young Red Spikers side.
He said, “Halos lahat yan rookie. Kailangan talaga namin ma overcome yung nerbyos eh. Kahit sinong kalaban, hindi dapat pa easy-easy lang. Ang challenge sa kanila, ipakita nila yung bagong mukha ng San Beda.”
Vince Himzon stepped up on the other hand for the Knights, finishing with 21 points, 17 attacks, three blocks, and one block. Team captain Michael Doria followed this with 14 points, two blocks, and three aces.
