EAC breaks Perpetual’s 53-game streak in NCAA men’s volley

MANILA, Philippines – The streak ends.

Perpetual Help's 53-win streak came to a crashing halt as it fell to Emilio Aguinaldo College in a gripping, 25-20, 15-25, 25-20, 18-25, 13-15 decision Thursday in the 90th NCAA men's volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Howard Mojica came through with an MVP-like performance as he fired a match-best 23 hits, including key kills in the fifth and deciding set, to end the once mighty run by the Altas that spanned five seasons.

It also propelled the Generals to their seventh straight victory and into the solo lead and on course to netting their first title since joining the league five years ago.

Sid Raymond Gercilla, Israel Encina, Kerth Melliza and Hariel Doguna provided Mojica the needed help by scattering 16, 14, 12 and 11, respectively.

Allan Jay Sala-An stepped up when leading hitters Bonjomar Castel, Neil Barry Ytorzaita and Rey Taneo struggled by pacing the Altas with 17.

But Perpetual Help just didn't have an answer to the power-hitting Mojica, who came through with 21 of his total hits from kills.

The Altas fell to second with a 5-1 (win-loss) slate.

College of St. Benilde routed San Beda, 25-11, 25-17, 25-17, to improve to 4-2 in the other men's match of the day.

In women's play, Perpetual Help downed EAC, 25-23, 25-20, 25-23, to jump to a share of second place with San Sebastian with 6-1 cards each, while St. Benilde slammed San Beda, 25-9, 25-11, 25-15, to remain in the magic four with a 5-1 slate.