Perpetual completes 14-game sweep of NCAA men’s volleyball

MANILA, Philippines – Perpetual Help ran into a determined Emilio Aguinaldo but came out victorious just the same as it eked out a pulsating 25-21, 18-25, 25-21, 25-21 win to sweep their way to a three-peat feat in the 88th NCAA men's volleyball championship at The Arena in San Juan City.

Rookie Edmar Sanchez unleashed 22 hits, including 20 on attacks, while skipper Jay dela Cruz scattered 19 kills to help the Altas complete a 14-game sweep of the season, including three wins in the semifinals and two in the best-of-three title series.

The Las Pinas-based school also extended their amazing streak to 33 games stretching from the latter part of the season three years ago when they won the first of the three championships.

"Our hard work, discipline and sacrifice paid off," said Perpetual Help coach Sammy Acaylar, who also attributed their success to the players' decision to spend the Christmas Season training instead of vacationing.

In juniors' action, Emilio Aguinaldo made up for senior counterpart's painful defeat as it trounced San Sebastian, 25-16, 25-23, 12-25, 25-22, to likewise sweep its way to the high school crown.

Cedri Rasing led his team with 15 hits while Jopet Movido and Arjon Barbuco added 11 and 10, respectively, for the Brigadiers, who took Game One, 25-22, 30-28, 25-18, Saturday.

For his effort, Sanchez emerged the MVP, the first rookie to win the highest individual plum in a long while.

Dela Cruz though showed the biggest heart as his leadership was the resin that kept his team glued together especially at times when the Generals appeared to have turned the tide and grabbed the momentum.

"Jay (Dela Cruz) is not the team captain of this team for nothing, in this game he showed the heart of the leader," said Acaylar of his 18-year-old Bacolod City-based player who was discovered playing for Western Visayas in the Palarong Pambansa four years back.

It wasn't as easy though when Perpetual Help cruised to a 25-22, 25-17, 25-16 win in the series opener Saturday.

After relinquishing the opening set, the Generals, behind the relentless, power-hitting pair of Howard Mojica and Kerth Melliza, who led their team by combining for 37 hits, came roaring back and snatched the second to knot the match at one set apiece.

But Perpetual Help took over from there and came through with all the answers to EAC's constant fight backs behind the strong effort of Dela Cruz and Sanchez.