Perpetual Help overcame a two-set lead loss to secure a thrilling victory against Letran, winning 25-19, 25-22, 20-25, 21-25, 15-13 in the 2024 V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge at Paco Arena in Manila on Wednesday.
Kobe Tabuga led the charge with 23 points, including 20 attacks, while Hezron Manaloto added 13 points from 11 attacks and two blocks as the Altas rebounded from their recent four-set defeat to the reigning UAAP champion National U Bulldogs.
“It was a nice game, ang habol lang naman namin dito ay exposure for this coming NCAA. That is why napakagandang exposure and mental toughness ng mga bata ko ito. Kaya whatever the result there is, pag-iisipan namin kung ano pa dapat pa namin gawin,” said Perpetual head coach Sammy Acaylar.
Tied at 3 in the fifth set, Perpetual unleashed a 6-1 run to take a five-point lead. Although Letran fought back to tie the score at 12, the Altas clinched the win by scoring three of the last four points.
Jefferson Marapoc delivered an off-the-block hit, Jester Bornel scored on a quick hit, and Manaloto added a power tip to secure the victory.
Despite being down two sets, the Knights made a strong comeback in the third set, with Vince Himzon’s through-the-block hit, and tied the match with John Bautista’s back-to-back hits in the fourth.
“Sabi ko sa kanila dapat meron silang pride as a champion [in the NCAA] so kung umabot kami sa five sets, dapat yung five sets na ‘yon ay iisipin nila yung laro namin sa NCAA na pang-championship,” added Acaylar.
Bautista scored 24 points with 22 attacks, one block, and an ace, while Himzon contributed 21 points from 18 attacks, two aces, and a block for the Knights, who fell to 0-2.
The Altas will next face the FEU Tamaraws on Aug. 14, while the Knights aim for their first win against the Ateneo Blue Eagles this Sunday.
