A step closer to the goal
With a dysnasty in sight, reigning NCAA men’s volleyball champions University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Altas took down the Arellano University Chiefs in four sets, 19-25, 25-14, 25-20, 25-17, and stepped into the semifinals, Thursday evening at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Bucking a slow start, reigning Most Valuable Player Joebert Almodiel and the rest of the Altas were dominant in that second set and composed in the last two to finally fend off the Chiefs. The second-year outside hitter ended with 16 markers including the berth-clinching hit.
Senior middle hitter Ron Rosales soared for the season hosts with 19 markers, four coming from blocks.
Nonetheless, despite the win, head coach Sammy Acaylar was far from being satisfied. He shared, “To tell you frankly, hindi ko gusto yung naging performance nila. Yung pinapakita nila sa practice at sa tune-up games, hindi ko nakita sa game na to.
“A win is a win, pero gusto ko huwag nilang isipin na magaling kami,” the decorated mentor added.
“Marami pa kaming dapat ayusin,” the men’s national team coach said when asked of what needs to be done going forward.
Christian Dela Paz led the Chiefs with 18 points.
In the first game, the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights dragged the Mapua University Cardinals to a quadruple tie at 2-6 after a comprehensive three-setter, 25-15, 25-22, 25-20.
Mhel Gabuyo led three spikers in double digits with 14 points, along with Christopher Cistina and Angel Canzana’s 11 markers each, in a game that was won on offense. Both teams were clinical as they ended with just combined 32 errors in a near-hour-long match.
The semis-bound Altas (7-0) will take on the San Sebastian College Recolletos next, on Monday, January 14 at 10 am. Meanwhile, the Chiefs (6-2) will tryo to end their eliminations round on a high note against the San Beda University (2-6) the next day at 2 pm.
The Knights and the Cardinals (both at 2-6) will close their season against the College of Saint Benilde and Lyceum of the Philippines University on Monday, January 14 and Thursday, January 17, respectively.
The Scores:
First game:
CSJL 3 – Gabuyo 14, Cistina 11, Canzana 11, Era 9, Doria 8, Tabbada 3, Brioso L.
MU 0 – Navas 10, Pagulong 9, Hizon 8, Egan 7, Vargas 5, Kiamco 1, Pula 1, Andaya 1, Tabios 0, Abellada L.
Second game:
UPHSD 3 – Rosales 19, Almodiel 16, Sereno 16, Ramos 6, Ramirez 3, Muhali 3, Abdulla 3, Bation 2, Casana 1, Enarciso 0, Balmores L.
AU 1 – Dela Paz 18, Segovia 16, Tan 9, Liberao 9, Encila 4, Cabillan 3, Lapuz 2, Meneses 1, Villados 1, Arellano L, Esguerra L.
