Junior Altas, Blazers near NCAA volley titles

MANILA, Philippines - Perpetual Help re-stamped its class over Lyceum and came away with a 25-19, 25-19, 25-11 victory yesterday to move a win away from reclaiming its juniors title in the 90th NCAA volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.

Enjoying top form following a three-match sweep of the semifinals, the Junior Altas overpowered the Junior Pirates with their smashes and quick plays while toughening up in defense to dismantle the Muralla-based squad in just 58 minutes for a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.

Perpetual goes for the clincher tomorrow. A deciding Game Three, if necessary, is on Monday.

The Las Piñas-based team is looking for its seventh crown overall although San Sebastian is way ahead of the pack with a record 15 championships.

The Junior Altas are also trying to atone for their seniors and women’s counterparts defeats.

“We hope to win this not just for the school but also to our men’s and women’s teams,” said Perpetual Help coach Sandy Rieta.

In the men’s finals, College of St. Benilde stunned Emilio Aguinaldo College, 27-25, 25-20, 23-25, 26-24, to likewise move closer to a dream championship.

Malden Dildil fired 10 kills and came up with four blocks while Vincent Recamara scattered 11 hits to lift Perpetual to another convincing win after beating the same Lyceum side, 25-18, 25-16, 25-19, that lasted only 54 minutes in their semis meeting.

“Our performance in the semis boosted our confidence that’s why we played relaxed,” said Rieta.

EJ Gabriel Casana provided help with seven hits, including two on blocks and another two on aces while Ryuji Conrad Etorma added six, including two aces.

“It also helped us that we have scored some points off our services. They had a hard time receiving,” said Rieta.