MANILA, Philippines – Emilio Aguinaldo College opened its title campaign by walloping a listless La Salle-Greenhills, 25-17, 25-15, 25-12, at the start of the juniors division of the 90th NCAA volleyball competition at The Arena in San Juan City Friday.
Aljon Barbuco, Walt Amber Gervacio and Cee-Jay Hicap took turns in delivering the decisive blows and finished with 14, 13 and 10 hits, respectively, to send the Brigadiers, champions in 2011 and 2012, to a strong start.
Lyceum and Perpetual Help, for their part, pulled off contrasting results to bare their title intentions.
Spearheaded by Jomaru Amagan's 16-hit performance, the Junior Pirates slammed the Arellano University Junior Chiefs, 25-22, 25-20, 25-18, to bolster their hope of advancing to the semifinals after coming one match close to making it that far.
Lyceum also avenged its straight set defeat to Arellano U a season ago that denied the former a chance to make it to the semis.
The Altalettes, for their part, had to overcome a strong third set challenge from the Letran Squires to hammer out a 25-19, 25-17, 31-33, 25-19 triumph that set in motion their bid to regain the title they last won four years back.
Ricky Marcos led four other teammates with double-digit scores after he pounded in 17 of his match-best 19 hits on kills.
Malden Deldil, Ryuji Conrad Etorma, Jody Margaux Severo and Vincent Recamara scattered 16, 13, 11 and 10, respectively, to help in the cause.