MANILA, Philippines – Perpetual Help went to its reserves when their starters struggled and eked out a come-from-behind 23-25, 25-19, 27-29, 25-15, 15-7 victory over San Beda Wednesday to inch closer to an elimination round sweep in the men's division of the 91st NCAA volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.
Down a set to two, Relan Tano, Neil Barry Ytorzaita and John Patrick Ramos made crucial plays in the final two sets to help propel the Altas to their seventh win in row, or two shy of sweeping their way straight to the championship where they will enjoy a thrice-to-beat edge.
"Our second group stepped up really big, that was crucial," said Perpetual Help coach Sammy Acaylar.
For the Las Pinas-based school to accomplish a sweep, it will need though to hurdle Emilio Aguinaldo College, the reigning champion, tomorrow and Letran on Sunday.
"We're prepared for that and we expect a really good match," said Acaylar, out to regain the title it lost to the Generals last year.
Just like it's men's squad, Perpetual Help's juniors team is also unscathed, posting its fifth straight triumph at the expense of San Beda in a lopsided 25-14, 25-19, 25-8 result earlier.
The Sandy Rieta-mentored Junior Altas play the Brigadiers (5-1) and the Squires (2-4) in their final elims assignments to complete a sweep and book an outright trip to the finals.
In the women's division, Perpetual Help downed San Beda, 25-19, 25-21, 25-22, to solidify its spot at No. 4 with a 5-2 record.
San Sebastian leads the way with a pristine 7-0 mark while defending champion Arellano U and St. Benilde are tied at No. 2 with 6-1 slates.