Reigning NCAA Men’s Volleyball champions University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Altas soared to their second-straight elimination round sweep, overpowering the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers in three sets, 25-21, 25-21, 25-13.
It was a balanced attack from the Las Pinas-based side as middle blocker Ronniel Rosales poured in 14 points, four coming off blocks, and last year’s Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player Joebert Almodiel ended with 12.
Nonetheless, the match, especially the first two sets, was not walk in the park as starting setter EJ Casana had difficulties on driving their offense, prompting head coach Sammy Acaylar to field in JC Enarciso early in the second.
From there, particularly in the final set, it was cruise control from the guys in white-and-maroon as Enarciso produced eight excellent sets, a block, and an ace.
For Acaylar, the boys did better for this game, but adjustments have to be done in the next few days to avoid lay off. “As I said before, ‘di ako satisfied sa performance. Maybe because nagkulang kami sa speed sa training. Waiting kami, it will be too hard for us. Kami naka-tengga, ‘yung mga kalaban namin nakalaro. Pero mag-tune up kami with UAAP teams.”
The most important thing for the Altas, however, is that everybody is ready to step up, as the setter situation warranted during the match.
“Ang training style ko kasi is trust everybody. So, pagdating sa game, alam nilang lahat kung paano maglalaro.”
In the season closer, Colegio de San Juan de Letran overtook Lyceum of the Philippines University in sixth place after a 17-25, 25-18, 25-23, 25-23 win.
Michael Doria paced the Knights with 25 markers.
The Scores:
First game:
UPHSD 3 – Rosales 14, Almodiel 12, Ramirez 8, Muhali 8, Ramos 5, Enarciso 34, Bation 3, Sereno 3, Casana 2, Baggayan 1, Solamillo 0, Abdulla 0, Balmores L, Atentar L.
JRU 0 – Laxina 10, Estacio 7, Legaspi 6, Ausina 3, Cebrero 2, Rabaja 2, Miguel 1, Salazar 0, Defensor L, Cruz L.
Second game:
CSJL 3 – Doria 25, Gabuyo 17, Era 12, Cistina 6, Tabbada 1, Canzana 0, Francisco 0, Sison 0, Brioso L.
LPU 1 – Binas 14, Colonia 12, Tibayan 12, Saporna 9, Loenida 5, Uy Corral 4, Lajara 3, Galang 1, Del Rio 0, Legaspi 0, Moral L, Golloso L.
