Generals repulse Archers, reach Spikers’ Turf semis

MANILA, Philippines - Howard Mojica put in another superb display of power game as Emilio Aguinaldo College pulled through in a fierce duel with La Salle, 25-23, 23-25, 25-20, 26-24, yesterday to clinch the third semifinal berth in the Spikers’ Turf Season 1-Collegiate Conference at The Arena in San Juan City.

But UP played the spoiler’s role, edging National College of Business and Arts, 25-21, 22-25, 25-19, 23-25, 15-11, in the other game, enabling the Archers to force a playoff with the Wildcats for the fourth and last semis berth in the league presented by PLDT Home Ultera.

The Generals wound up with a 4-3 slate to finish at No. 3 with Ateneo gaining No. 1 with a 7-0 sweep and NU settling for No. 2 with a 6-1 mark in the league backed by Mikasa. NCBA and La Salle ended up tied at 3-4.

The Maroons blew a 2-1 set lead and a 5-1 margin in the decider but fought back from 5-8 down to win 10 of the last 13 points, including five straight to turn a 9-10 deficit into a resounding win. UP finished with a 2-5 card.

Scoring heavily on quick sets off Jhon Pagtalunan’s superb feeds, Mojica rattled off a game-high 35 hits he spiked with five aces and two blocks. It was six points less than what he dished out in a losing stand against Ateneo two weeks ago but it proved enough to lift EAC to the all-important win that sealed a Final Four clash with No. 2 National U.

It was a sorry setback for the Archers, who bounced back in the second set but failed to neutralize Mojica in the next two frames, enabling the reigning NCAA champions to sneak into the semis after dropping their first two games in the quarters.

Skipper Israel Encina, Hariel Doguna and Kerth Melliza provided the needed backup for Mojica, combining for 30 points, while Pagtalunan outplayed counterpart Geuel Asia, coming through with 38 excellent sets against La Salle’s setter’s 20.