Altas zero in on NCAA men’s volley crown

MANILA, Philippines - There’s no stopping the juggernaut of Perpetual Help as the Altas tripped Emilio Aguinaldo College, 25-22, 25-17, 25-16, to close in on the NCAA Season 88th men’s volleyball crown yesterday at the FilOil Flying V Arena.

Adam Daquer and Edmar Sanchez punched in 12 points apiece as the Altas took the headstart in the best-of-three championship series while maintaining their long-standing spotless record.

Counting their unbeaten run since 2011, the Altas have won 32 consecutive games.

A 33rd straight triumph in Game 2 slated Monday would hand the Las Piñas-based spikers their third consecutive diadem in the country’s oldest collegiate league.

Howard Mojica was the lone bright spot for EAC, banging in 27 points. Kerth Melliza added five.

Meanwhile, the San Sebastian Lady Stags jumped the gun on back-to-back-seeking Lady Altas in the finals opener of the distaff side, 26-24, 26-24, 22-25, 27-25.

Gretchel Soltones scored 16 points while Maria Ara Mallare added 12 and Czarina Berbano had 10 to lead the way for the Lady Stags, who are out to reclaim the title they last won three years ago.

Honey Royse Tubino and Sandra delos Santos combined for 37 points in Perpetual’s losing cause.