Generals bag 1st ever NCAA men's volleyball title

MANILA, Philippines -- Emilio Aguinaldo College turned back College of St. Benilde, 25-22, 23-25, 25-19, 25-20, Monday to snare it first ever men's title in the 90th NCAA volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Howard Mojica showed why he is the league's MVP as he outduelled Johnvic de Guzman in the game that mattered most to help the Generals complete a 2-1 title victory and come away with their first ever crown since joining the league six seasons ago.

It was also EAC's first ever championship in all sports in the seniors division. It's other title came in high school volleyball where they reigned for three straight seasons before Perpetual Help took over this year.

A few days after erupting for a series-high 33 hits in a 25-22, 21-25, 21-25, 25-15, 15-13 win in Game Two, the power-spiking Mojica was it again as he unleashed 28 this time, all on kills, that sealed the deal.

And deservingly, Mojica went away not just with the title and season MVP trophy but the Finals MVP plum as well.

When a service error Renta Relata sealed the win for the Las Pinas-based school, the Altas dove on the floor, hugged each other, shed tears of joy a bit and then waved to their throngs of supporters.

Finally, the long wait is over for the Generals.

"It feels good," said EAC coach Rod Palmero in Filipino, savoring the title that eluded them for years including a season ago when they were swept by the Perpetual Help Altas in their title duel.

EAC's victorious run also served as a soothing balm to a school still recovering from the embarrassment its basketball team suffered after a free-for-all against Mapua that led to suspension of most of its players and forfeitures due to lack of players.

Mercifully, redemption came fast for the Generals.

"The hardwork of not just the team, but the whole school paid off. This is a proud accomplishment for the whole school," said EAC's Management Committee representative Marlon Carlos.

De Guzman, St. Benilde's heart and soul, was utterly outplayed by Mojica and was held to just 20 for the second straight game.

He had his moments though in the series when he stared Mojica eye to eye and matched the latter's total of 26 that powered the Blazers to a shocking 27-25, 25-20, 23-25, 26-24 win in last Wednesday's opener.

De Guzman and the Blazers came one win close of ending their own title drought in men's volleyball, an excruciatingly long one last about a couple of decades.

Until Mojica decided to take over.