Altas ease out Chiefs, stay in hunt
Perpetual Help hurdled the first stepladder semis with ease, beating Arellano U, 25- 18, 25- 23, 25- 14, yesterday to keep its title-retention bid alive in the juniors division of the 92nd NCAA volleyball tournament at the FilOil Flying V Center in San Juan.
Paul Solamin fired 14 hits while Marvien Castillo and Ivan Encila combined for 25 points as the Junior Altas forged a duel with the Emilio Aguinaldo Brigadiers in the second stepladder semis match on Monday.
But EAC enjoys a twice-to-beat edge over its last year’s tormentor after claiming the No. 2 seed in the elimination round.
Lyceum of the Phl U, meanwhile, swept its way to the finals for a huge thrice-to-beat advantage.
“I have faith in my players that we will survive the stepladder semis and make it to the finals again,” said Perpetual Help coach Sandy Rieta.
In men’s action, St. Benilde drew strength from team captain Johnvic de Guzman’s explosive effort as it brought down reigning titlist Perpetual Help, 25-21, 25-23, 25-14, in a playoff for the top seeding.
The power-spiking De Guzman unloaded a match- best 23 hits, 20 came on spikes, two on blocks and an ace to power the Blazers to a duel with the No. 4 Arellano U Chiefs on Monday.
The Altas settled for No. 2 and a faceoff with No. 3 San Beda. St. Benilde and Perpetual Help enjoys twice-tobeat edges over their respective rivals.
Meanwhile, St. Benilde swept Perpetual Help, 25-21, 25-23, 25-14, to clinch the top seeding in men’s play while St. Benilde also toppled San Beda, 25-19, 25-23, 17-25, 25-18, to gain the No. 3 seeding in women’s division.