IN A duel of two teams with the most successful collegiate programs in the country, Sta. Elena-National University clobbered Kinto Tyres-Perpetual Help, 25-18, 25-17, 25-18, to crowd Fudgee Barr-Ateneo and Army at the top of Pool A in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference at the Paco Arena on Wednesday.
Team captain Joshua Retamar put up a superb all-around performance, tossing 15 excellent sets and finishing with eight points built on four aces, three blocks and one attack to help power the Nationals to the straight-set romp.
“Siempre happy kami sa naging resulta. Nakabawi kami after nung V-League namin, matagal namin inisip yng pagkatalo namin pero nakabawi na kami ngayon,” said NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin, whose wards bowed to the Altas in the V-League Collegiate elims last month.
The Nationals breezed past the Altas in the first two sets then broke away from a tight 18-17 games in the third as Retamar peppered Perpetual with heavy serves that led to a decisive six-point run for a 23-17 bulge.
Though Retamar himself cut the team’s endgame blitz with a service error, Jade Disquitado rose over the block and Michaelo Buddin sealed the victory with an emphatic block on Louie Ramirez.
Buddin led the team with 12 points on 10 attacks and added four excellent digs, Obed Mukaba had 10 markers while Leo Aringo chipped in eight points in the Nationals’ one-hour and 17- minute victory.
NU and Ateneo slug it out at 1 p.m. on Nov. 5 in a riveting clash of power and style between two of Pool A’s loaded squads.
No player from Perpetual reached double digits with Ramirez settling for nine points that went with four excellent receptions.
The trio of Jefferson Marapoc, John Castil and KC Andraded scored five points apiece for the Altas, who also beat the NU side in the inaugural Philippine University Volleyball League at home last February.
Perpetual Help will try to bounce back against Army on Sunday starting at 3 p.m.