Mapua stops Perpetual, clinches men’s volley crown

MANILA, Philippines – Mapua’s Philip Michael Bagalay and John Cuzon shocked University of Perpetual Help’s Reylan and Rey Taneo Jr., 21-19, 21-18, yesterday to clinch the men’s title in the 91st NCAA men’s volleyball tournament at the Boardwalk in Subic.

Bagalay and Cuzon completed the shock victory against the Taneo brothers, who swept the elimination round in nine games to barge into the finals outright and moved one win closer to clinching the men’s crown.

And the Mapua pair did it when no one was expecting it as they came into the stepladder semis as the fourth seed before bringing down No. 3 Lyceum of the Phl U, 21-12, 21-16, No. 2 Emilio Aguinaldo’s Howard Mojica and Kerth Melliza, 18-21, 21-18, 15-11, and then the Taneos.

“We just went hard for every point,” said Bagalay.

The inspired Bagalay-Cuzon tandem also made history as they gave Mapua its first ever beach volley championship since the sport was introduced to the league 14 years back.

The Taneos, for their part, failed to clinch their second title in a month after the two helped Perpetual Help claim the men’s indoor volley crown just a few weeks ago with a stunning win over last year’s winner EAC.

In juniors’ action, San Sebastian shocked last year’s titlist EAC, 20-22, 21-19, 15-13, to capture the high school crown.

It was the Junior Stags’ second title in the division after they also reigned supreme eight seasons ago.

In women’s play, defending champion Grethcel Soltones and Dangie Encarnacion of San Sebastian will face San Beda twins Maria Jeziela and Maria Nieza Viray in the one-game finale.