Altas spikers rule battle of champs

MANILA, Philippines — Fresh from clinching the NCAA men’s volleyball crown, the University of Perpetual Help Altas spikers defeated UAAP champions the NU Bulldogs to win the first Philippine University Volleyball League (PUVL) tournament recently.

The Altas spikers of team owner Tony Tamayo ruled the battle of champions among the country’s best college volleyball teams, sealing the feat in topping the NU Bulldogs, 25-17, 25-18, 33-31, at the Home of the Altas gymnasium II in Barangay Pamplona III in Las Piñas.

With the win, the Altas gained the right to represent the country at this year’s Summer Universiade.

Members of the team ran away with most of the major individual awards, with Louie Ramirez emerging MVP and Best Attacker, John Philip Pepito as Best Libero, JC Enarciso and Sammy Acaylar as Best Coach.

It was a sweet revenge for the Altas who suffered their lone defeat at the hands of the NU Bulldogs during the elimination round.

“We have a solid team this year and our team played with a lot of guts and pride. We did not want to lose on our home turf,” Acaylar said.

Meanwhile, the Perpetual Junior Altas of coach Sandy Rieta stretched their reign as NCAA champs for a sixth consecutive season after defeating the Arellano U Braves, 25-23, 25-23, 16-25, 25-22, in the finale held at the Arellano U Pasay City campus gymnasium last Jan. 28. It’s the 12th crown overall for the team since joining the NCAA in 1984.

Jon Rey Solamillo was named 1st Best Outside spiker and Most Valuable Player, Niño Versano was 2nd Best Outside spiker, Sandy Rieta was named Coach of the Year.

The Perpetual Altas sand spikers composed of Loiue Ramirez, Jeffferson Marapoc (MVP) and John Philip Pepito also ruled the NCAA men’s beach volleyball by dethroning

the Emilio Aguinaldo College ( 21-10, 15- 21,15-13) in Subic Bay sand court, Subic Zambales on January 21, 2023

, a biennial event that brings together student-athletes worldwide, in Bali, Indonesia in the coming months.

While the Perpetual Lady Altas volleyball team settles for runner up finished after a 5-sets loss to Mapua Lady Cardinals in Championship match 25-13, 25-19, 23-25, 22-25, 13-15)

Within 7 days, the players of Perpetual Help Altas volleyball program won an unprecedented three crowns in the field of volleyball in the NCAA and the new Philippine University Volleyball League (PUVL) in the categories of Beach volleyball, Senior men’s volleyball and Junior’s Volleyball.