Three years — that is how long it’s been since the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA men’s volleyball team made the last dance.
The Altas outlasted defending champions College of Saint Benilde Blazers in five edge-of-your-seat sets, 23-25, 25-23, 25-22, 23-25, 15-9, to secure another Finals appearance, Tuesday evening at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Rookie Joebert Almodiel paced the Altas with 23 points off 21 attacks and two blocks. Ridzuan Muhali finished with 15 markers, while Jun Taneo and Patrick Ramos added 14 and 13 points, respectively.
Both teams leaned on their strengths to pull off the sets they won. Perps scored much from their combination plays and serves, while Benilde’s middle hitters had a field day with their slide and minus-tempo attacks.
The Taft-based squad held on to an early advantage in the deciding set, but the Altas turned to their transition to ultimately seal the win and the sweep.
Long-time Perps mentor Sammy Acaylar requested his wards to relax before the fifth frame. He observed, “Masyado silang na-stress dun sa salitang ‘sweep.’ Masyado silang na-pressure. Sabi ko sa kanila na ‘wag isipin ‘yung sweep.”
Those words and a breathing exercise helped the Altas immensely, as the character of the Las Piñas lads showed through.
Knowing well the calibre of their possible Finals opponents, Acaylar shared that, “Since kami ‘yung clean slate, pag-aaralan at ii-scout namin sila. And as will have tuneup games with UAAP teams.”
Graduating middle hitter Jethro Orian led the Blazers with 19 points.
The Altas (9-0) await the winner of the the semifinal between the Arellano University (8-1) and the San Beda (7-2)-CSB (6-3) one-match playoff.
The Scores:
UPHSD 3 – Almodiel 23, Muhali 15, Taneo 14, Ramos 13, Rosales 11, Atentar 1, Solamilo 1, Bation 0, Kalingking L, Balmores L.
CSB 2 – Orian 19, Arda 15, Basilan 13, Bacani 12, Bautista 8, Magsino 2, San Miguel 1, Saldavia 0, Rojas 0, Martinez 0, Dy L.
