San Beda University roared into the quarterfinals in style with a four-seat upset of erstwhile undefeated University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, 25-18, 25-22, 20-25, 25-18, in the 2022 V-League Collegiate Challenge, Friday afternoon at the Paco Arena Sports and Events Center in Manila.
The Red Spikers ended the pool play at 3-2, zooming into second place for now just below 3-1 Ateneo de Manila University. The Altas descended to 3-1 but with eight match points.
With Louie Ramirez steering Perpetual into a run, Axel Book and Kevin Montemayor did their part on the attack to eventually close out the match.
“Sabi ko sa kanila, kapag start ng set, mag-enjoy, dapat masaya lang. Na kahit mangyari at makapasok tayo ng quarters, NU makatapat, mas magandang kalaro. So, nag-enjoy lang sila sa laro, walang pressure sa ‘kin,” San Beda head coach Ariel Dela Cruz said of the win.
Book paced the Red Spikers with 16 points on 15 attacks to go along with that game-winning dig, setting up that Montemayor kill. Montemayor eventually finished with 12 markers on 10 spikes, one block, and one service ace.
Ramirez carried the Altas with 19 markers on 17 spikes and two service aces, while Klint Mateo added 10 points, all coming from attacks. Perpetual, though, finished with an uncharacteristically huge 37 errors.
