Perpetual spikers blast Lyceum foes

MANILA, Philippines — University of Perpetual Help System Dalta survived a second-set meltdown as it pushed back Lyceum of the Philippines University, 25-22, 33-31, 25-20, yesterday to seize the lead in the 95th NCAA men’s volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

Louie Ramirez and team captain Ronniel Rosales took turns in delivering the goods in the second set when the Altas were pushed to the limit by the stubborn Pirates before holding sway and preserving their third straight win.

Ramirez finished with a season-high 23 points while Rosales scattered 15 for the Las Piñas-based spikers, who are eyeing their 13th title that would put them alongside the Letran Knights as the league’s most titled men’s team.

Earlier, the Junior Altas bucked the injury suffered by top player Noel Kampton as they routed the Junior Pirates, 25-17, 25-17, 25-15, to likewise zoom to the top with three triumphs.

Kampton, an MVP bet in his final NCAA season, tweaked an ankle early in the opening set and never returned.

But UPHSD dug deep and drew boost from reserves Joshua Pozas and Von Marata, who combined for 15 points that proved enough to fill in the gaping void left by Kampton.

In women’s action, UPHSD outlasted LPU, 25-27, 25-23, 26-24, 14-25, 17-15, to nail its second win in three starts.

Yanca Tripoli did most of the scoring with a match-high 19 points while Jenny Gaviola got the job done on defense as she came through with seven kill blocks and ended up with 10 hits.