Unbeaten Altas notch 51st straight win

MANILA, Philippines - Perpetual Help smashed its way to another win – a 25-21, 25-17, 25-16 romp over San Sebastian as the Altas stretched their streak to 51 in the NCAA men’s volleyball at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.

Rey Taneo and Bonjomar Castel combined for 14 kills and nine blocks and finished with 12 and 11 hits, respectively, to power the five-peat seeking Las Piñas-based school to the solo lead at 4-0 and stop SSC’s two-game surge.

“It’s nice to have that streak,” said Perpetual Help coach Sammy Acaylar. “But we don’t want to pressure ourselves by thinking of it that much.”

Richard Tolentino led San Sebastian with 15 hits but failed to draw support from the rest of the Stags, who dropped to 1-2.

St. Benilde trounced Jose Rizal, 25-21, 25-17, 25-23, to improve to 2-1.

But San Sebastian downed reigning three-peat titlist Perpetual Help in women’s play, 25-17, 25-17, 26-24, to join Arellano University and College of St. Benilde in the lead with three straight wins.

Jolina Labiano and Nikka Marielle Dalisay took over from Shakey’s V-League veteran and team captain Gretchel Soltones and fired 13 and 11 hits, respectively. Soltones was held to just seven hits while playing decoy and allowing the crisp-spiking Labiano and Dalisay to shine.

The Lady Altas fell to 2-1.

St. Benilde likewise remained unscathed after beating Jose Rizal, 25-17, 25-19, 25-13.