MANILA, Philippines - University of Perpetual Help-Laguna dominated its rivals on two fronts as it retained the men’s and women’s volleyball crowns in the 14th NCAA South at the Lyceum Philippines University-Batangas covered court in Batangas City recently.
Handled by former national standout Otie Camangian, the Saints overpowered the LPU-Batangas Pirates, 25-11, 25-19, 25-14, to sweep their best-of-three title series.
Just like their 25-20, 25-21, 23-25, 25-12 victory in Game 1, Perpetual leaned on the outstanding performances of Paul Ryan Visita, Marty Soria and John Javier in outclassing the hosts, who struggled with ace spiker Aries Solas hobbled by an ankle injury.
The Lady Saints, behind twin towers Maria Mendiloa and Hanna Mance, repulsed the First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities side, 25-17, 24-26, 25-23, 25-10, to clinch the ladies diadem.
The Perpetual ladies rallied from a 0-2 deficit to snatch a thrilling 23-25, 21-25, 25-20, 25-23, 15-11 victory in the opener of their own best-of-three series.
“We worked hard on our passing, reception and blocking which were our weaknesses when we lost to Lyceum in the elims,” said Camangian, also Perpetual’s athletic director, in steering his squad to their fourth straight championship.
“We lost our rhythm with Solas’ injury. We were never the same without him leading us,” said LPU-Batangas coach Bob Malenab.
Awarding them their trophies was LPU-Batangas vice president for institutional affairs and NCAA MANCOM chairperson Dr. Fe Medina.
De La Salle-Lipa shared the spotlight after annexing the girls volleyball and the boys basketball championships.
The La Salle-Lipa volleybelles swept University of Batangas, 28-26, 13-25, 25-16, 18-25, 15-8 and 25-17, 26-24, 25-20, to annex the crown while their boys’ squad slipped past Perpertual Help, 58-55, in Game 3 for its first championship in the league.