THE Perpetual Help Junior Altas captured the NCAA Season 100 Juniors’ Division Title after defeating the Letran Squires in a thrilling five-set match, 25-21, 23-25, 21-25, 25-17, 15-9, in Game 3 of the Finals at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City on Sunday.
Coach Sandy Rieta’s team was led by middle blocker John Lat, who had a game-high 22 points (15 in attacks, 6 in blocks, and 1 ace).
Four of his teammates also registered double-digit scores, namely Zyro Ornos with 19 points, Nathan Ciriaco and Gabriel Macatuno with 16 points each, and Resty Santos with 12 points.
Junior Altas setter Charles Concino recorded 18 digs and 19 excellent sets.
“I am happy with the result of the kids’ hard work. We reached Game 3 and even became champions,” Rieta said.
“Even in the dugout, I told them to enjoy the game,” Rieta added.
The Squires were led by King Nimo with 22, Vergel Balajadia with 18, and Jasper Afgao with 16.
It was Perpetual Help’s 13th title since joining the tournament in 1984, with seven of them under Rieta’s belt.
The Junior Altas took the lead after winning the first set, but they fell just short in sets 2 and 3. However, Perpetual Help was not discouraged as they managed to win set 4 and force a deciding fifth set, where they crushed the Squires, 15-9.
The Junior Altas won the series opener, 25-21, 29-27, 28-26, but the Squires bounced back with a 25-20, 19-25, 25-20, 25-21 victory to force the winner-take-all game.
The awarding ceremony for individual awards and trophies for the juniors’ division is set on June 11 at 11 a.m. at the same venue, before Game 2 of the men’s division finals.