Altas hammer down Knights

MANILA, Philippines – Defending champion Perpetual Help held off Letran, 25-20, 25-21, 25-20, yesterday to force a three-way tie for second with St. Benilde and San Beda in the 92nd NCAA men’s volleyball tournament at the San Juan Arena.

Esmail Kasim unloaded a team-best 11 hits while Rey Taneo Jr. added 10 points to help propel the Altas to their fourth win in five games in a tie with the idle Blazers and Red Spikers.

Allan Jay Sala-an, team captain Manuel Doliente and John Patrick Ramos combined for 24 points for the Las Piñas-based school.

It was Perpetual Help’s third win in row after dropping a 25-18, 29-27, 23-25, 27-29, 10-15 setback to San Beda last Nov. 20.

“We didn’t let that loss affect us because we’re focused on making it to the Final Four,” said Perpetual Help coach Sammy Acaylar.

Letran slipped to 1-4.

In juniors’ action, reigning titlist Perpetual Help survived Letran’s upset bid with a 21-25, 25-14, 25-11, 25-14 win to remain at No. 3 with a 3-1 mark.

Emilio Aguinaldo College and Lyceum of the Phl U pace the field with 4-0 and 3-0 records, respectively.

In women’s play, Perpetual Help edged Letran, 29-27, 25-15, 25-21, to improve to 3-2 and close in on a Top 4 slot.