MANILA, Philippines – Perpetual Help leaned on its newfound strength as it smashed a listless Jose Rizal, 25-19, 25-14, 25-20, to extend its amazing streak to 48 straight victories at the start of the men's division of the 90th NCAA volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City Thursday.
Neil Barry Ytorzaity, a reserve who has taken over the spot left by last year's MVP Jay dela Cruz, was all over the place, unloading a match-high 16 hits – 10 on kills, three on blocks and the same number of aces – to set in motion the Altas' five-peat feat bid.
The win not only jumpstarted the Las Pinas-based school's aspiration for a fifth straight title, but also kept the longest winning streak in volleyball as it has now won 48 matches in row stretching four seasons.
But Perpetual Help coach Sammy Acaylar said winning the title is more important.
"We're more concerned in winning another championship than the streak," Acaylar said in Filipino.
Also opening their campaign with a bang were Arellano University, which edged Mapua, 23-25, 27-25, 25-16, 23-25, 15-11, and College of St. Benilde, which made short work of Letran, 25-13, 25-19, 25-20.
Christopher Vhal Soriano and Benrasid Latip paced the Chiefs with 14 and 13 hits, respectively, while the Blazers, who made it to the semifinals last year before eventually winding up fourth, banked on skipper Johnvic de Guzman's 15 hits.