REIGNING titlist Perpetual Help came back from two sets down to turn back San Beda, 18-25, 18-25, 25-20, 25-17, 15-11, and book the first finals berth in the men’s division of the 92nd NCAA volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Center yesterday.
Down two sets, power-hitting Rey Taneo Jr. took charge and unleashed a match-best 29 hits, the bulk of which came in the final three sets when the Altas mounted a huge comeback to escape with the win.
“We didn’t give up, that’s the most important thing,” said Perpetual Help coach Sammy Acaylar in Filipino.
Manuel Doliente chipped in 12 points while Esmail Kasim added 10 to help the Las Pinas-based spikers snatch the win.
Perpetual Help thus booked their sixth finals appearance in the last seven seasons and on course on winning their second straight crown and sixth championship in that span.
The only time the Altas failed to win the crown came two years ago when they failed to make it to the finals.
The Emilio Aguinaldo Generals, then led by MVP Howard Mojica, beat the St. Benilde Blazers to claim the crown.
Now Perpetual Help awaits its finals foe, which could be between top seed St. Benilde and No. 4 San Beda.
The Blazers and the Red Spikers were playing at press time.
Perpetual Help kept its title-retention bid alive as it downed Emilio Aguinaldo, 23-25, 25-19, 25-23, 25-19, yesterday in the second stepladder semis of the 92nd NCAA Juniors Volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan City.
Ivan Encila led the way with 18 hits including 16 on kills while Marvien Castillo, Paul Solamin and Ryuji Condrad Etorma scattered 16, 13 and 10 points, respectively, to help the Junior Altas forged a do-or-die game against the Brigadiers on Friday.
With their backs against the wall, the Las Pinas-based school fought off a first set loss by going on attack mode and strengthenin their defense in the final three sets that impressed their coach.
“The players just refused to lose after we lost that first set, the boys played harder,” said Perpetual Help coach Sandy Rieta in Filipino.
EAC needed just a win to arrange a title showdown with Lyceum of the Phl U after seizing the No. 2 seed and twice-to-beat edge that goes with it after the single-round elimination.
Perpetual Help just refused to fade into the night and force another game.
The Junior Pirates swept their way to the finals in seven games and will enjoy a thrice-to-beat edge there.