MANILA, Philippines — Arellano University shocked reigning five-peat champion Perpetual Help, 25-21, 21-25, 25-22, 18-25, 15-10, yesterday to snatch the solo lead in the 95th NCAA high school volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Rwenzmel Taguibolos and Angelo Lagando took turns in dealing the biggest blows and finished with 25 and 21 points, respectively, as the Braves took their sixth straight victory while pushing the once mighty Junior Altas from a share of No. 1 down to No. 3 with a 5-1 card.
Idle Emilio Aguinaldo College jumped to No. 2 from No. 3 with a pristine 4-0 record.
It was a painful defeat for the Las Piñas-based school, which was hoping to stay undefeated and on course for a six-peat feat and 12th title overall.
Instead, UPHSD sputtered and will have to do it the harder way.
Skipper Erl Klint Eusebio and Ervin Patrick Osabel contributed 14 and 10 points, respectively, for the Richard Estacio-mentored Braves.
Von Marata and Noel Michael Kampton paced the Junior Altas with 26 and 23 points, most of which came in the fourth- set win to force a decider.
But the Marata-Kampton duo withered in the fifth set that hastened UPHSD’s downfall.