Altas down Knights, nail twice-to-beat incentive

MANILA, Philippines -- Perpetual Help overpowered Letran, 25-15, 25-22, 25-18, Sunday to seal a twice-to-beat edge in the men's division of the 91st NCAA volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Team captain Bonjomar Castel and Rey Taneo, Jr. teamed up in unleashing a combined 22 hits as the Altas nailed their eighth victory in nine outings and a share of the top spot with the Emilio Aguinaldo Generals, the reigning champions, on 8-1 (win-loss) records.

The Las Pinas-based school and EAC will resolve the tie via playoff tomorrow with the winner battling in the Final Four the No. 4 seed, which will be contested by the San Beda Lions and Arellano U Chiefs in a knockout duel after the two ended with identical 5-4 slates. The loser winds up as the No. 2 seed and will tackle St. Benilde, which is assured of the No. 3 seed regardless the result of its final elimination round showdown with San Sebastian at press time.

Perpetual Help coach Sammy Acaylar said they're looking forward to avenging its bitter 20-25, 22-25, 17-25 defeat to EAC that spoiled its bid of sweeping the one-round elimination and clinching an outright finals stint.

"It will be all about pride," said Acaylar, who is also seeking to regain the crown it lost last season.

Reigning juniors titlist Perpetual Help flattened Letran, 25-14, 25-14, 25-21, to likewise arrange a playoff for the No. 1 seeding versus EAC after the two ended up tied at No. 1 with identical 6-1 marks.

Ivan Encila unloaded 13 hits, 12 of which came on spikes, while Conrad Ryuji Etorma and team captain Jody Margaux Pascual scattered 11 and 10, respectively, as the Junior Altas.

The winner of the Perpetual-EAC playoff will face either Lyceum of the Philippines U or San Sebastian while the loser clash No. 3 Arellano U in the Final Four.

In women's action, Perpetual Help routed Letran, 25-12, 25-23, 25-21, to go into the Final Four with a 7-2 slate.