PERPETUAL Help completed its second straight perfect season and claimed its third consecutive crown when it downed Emilio Aguinaldo College, 25-21, 18-25, 21-25, 21-25, on Monday in the 88th NCAA season men’s volleyball tournament at the Arena in San Juan.
The Altas ended the season with a 14-0 slate, duplicating its last year’s performance and scoring its 33rd straight victory dating back to Season 86.
“It’s great kasi we worked hard,” said Perpetual Help coach Sammy Alaycar. “Ang mga paghihirap ng mga bata nag-pay off.”
“Most of the players worked hard for this championship, di sila umuwi during the Christmas break to prepare for this championship. We had our trainings in the morning and afternoon," added Alaycar.
Most Valuable Player Edmar Sanchez led the Altas with 22 points on 20 attacks and two blocks, while Jay de la Cruz had 19 from 18 hits and one service ace.
The Generals took a slim lead in the fourth set, 17-16, but the Altas came up with six consecutive points to gain control, 22-17.
EAC answered back and kept its hopes alive after a 3-1 mini run to slice down their deficit, 20-23, after a Howard Mojica power hit.
But the Las Piñas-based spikers set themselves on match point as team captain De la Cruz launched an attack, 24-20, and later capitalized on a Mojica error to claim their third consecutive championship.
“Tinuruan kami ni coach na magkaroon kami ng animal instinct,” said Sanchez. “Yung wag namin pagbibigyan ang kalaban na manalo, never give them the chance na makabangon para yung momentum nasa amin at lagging mataas ang morale namin.”
Mojica came away with 20 markers from 19 spikes and one block, while Kerth Melizza added 17 from 16 hits and one service ace for EAC.
Others who bagged individual awards were Mojica as Best Scorer, Gilbert Ablan of San Beda the Best Attacker, Adam Daquer of Perpetual Help as the Best Blocker, Paolo Tacorda of San Sebastian as Best Server, Pocholo Apostol the Best Digger, Francis Allen Yu of EAC as the Best Setter and Sandy Montero of Perpetual Help as Best Receiver.
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