EAC, Perpetual try to seal NC title clash

MANILA, Philippines – Reigning titlist Emilio Aguinaldo College and Perpetual Help seek to arrange a title clash as they take on San Beda and St. Benilde, respectively, in today’s Final Four of the 91st NCAA men’s volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

As the top two teams after the elims, the Generals and the Altas need only to win once to advance to the finals with EAC facing the No. 4 Lions at 12 noon and Perpetual Help colliding with the Blazers at 2 p.m.

EAC clinched the top seeding by besting Perpetual Help, 21-25, 25-20, 25-17, 25-19, with the Altas settling for No. 2 and a tough duel with St. Benilde, last year’s losing finalist which wound up at No. 3.

San Beda clinched the fourth and last semis berth with a 25-22, 25-20, 22-25, 25-22 decision over Arellano U last Tuesday.

The Generals hope to draw the best again from reigning MVP Howard Mojica, who dropped 30 hits against Perpetual Help the last time out.

In women’s action, defending champion Arellano U and St. Benilde collide in a knockout duel for the right to play San Sebastian in the finals.

The Lady Blazers turned back the Lady Altas, 16-25, 25-19, 25-11, 25-21, in the first stepladder semis Tuesday to stay in the finals hunt.

San Sebastian advanced to the finals outright with a sweep of the elims and a thrice-to-beat advantage in the best-of-five finals.

In juniors’ play, last year’s title-holder Perpetual Help and EAC take on San Sebastian and Arellano U, respectively, also needing a pair of wins to advance to the best-of-three finals.