Altas rip Generals, gain solo lead in NCAA men's volleyball

MANILA, Philippines – Defending champion Perpetual Help overpowered Emilio Aguinaldo, 25-20, 25-16, 25-23, on Thursday to seize the solo lead in the men’s division of the 94th NCAA volleyball tournament at the Lyceum of the Philippines University Gym in Intramuros, Manila.

Ridzuan Muhali uncorked 12 points, including 10 on kills, while Ronniel Rosales and reigning MVP Joebert Almodiel contributed 10 hits apiece as the Altas claimed their second straight victory in as many starts and stayed on course on their back-to-back title bid.

It was another straight-set victory for the Las Pinas-based spikers after steamrolling the San Beda Red Spikers, 25-20, 25-23, 25-15, last week.

And Perpetual Help has no plans of slowing down as it is aiming to snare its seventh title in the last nine seasons and 12th overall.

“The ultimate goal is to win another championship but we got to win as many games as we can if we want to achieve it,” said Perpetual Help coach Sammy Acaylar.

The Generals, who were led by Joshua Mina, slipped to 1-1 (win-loss).

The Junior Altas, the defending champions in the division, likewise stayed unscathed following a 25-19, 25-12, 25-16 bashing of the Brigadiers earlier.

The win sent Perpetual Help at joint first place with idle Arellano U, which zoomed to the top early after downing Jose Rizal, 25-22, 25-21, 22-25, 25-20, and College of St. Benilde, 15-25, 20-25, 26-24, 25-17, 15-13.

Perpetual Help completed a day sweep after it lambasted EAC, 25-15, 25-8, 25-16, to nail its first win in two outings in the women’s side.

Skipper Maria Aurora Tripoli and Necelle Mae Gual paced the Lady Altas with nine points apiece that more than made up for their heartbreaking 21-25, 26-24, 25-20, 24-26, 12-15 setback at the hands of the San Beda Lady Red Spikers also last week.