Generals, Altas seal NC volley title clash

MANILA, Philippines – Defending men’s champion Emilio Aguinaldo College and Perpetual Help pulled off a pair of five-set victories over their respective rivals yesterday to seal a title showdown in the 91st NCAA volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Banking on another strong performance by Howard Mojica, the EAC Generals thwarted the San Beda Red Spikers, 25-19, 25-20, 22-25, 22-25, 15-9, to advance to the finals for the fourth straight year.

The Altas, on the other hand, fended off a late fightback by the College of St. Benilde Blazers and escaped with a tough 33-31, 25-20, 22-25, 23-25, 15-9 triumph to clinch the other spot in the best-of-three finals starting Tuesday.

The power-spiking Mojica unloaded 31 hits, including 27 kills, as the Generals gained another crack at the championship after beating the Blazers last season.

San Beda, which turned back Arellano U, 25-22, 25-20, 22-25, 25-22, in their sudden death match Tuesday, leaned on Gerald Zabala, captain Alfie Mascarinas and Earl Kenneth Gonzales, who combined for 34 hits but the Red Spikers failed to neutralize Mojica’s power.

Meanwhile, defending champion Perpetual Help overcame a tough San Sebastian side to hack out a 25-23, 24-26, 14-25, 25-23, 15-10 victory yesterday and book a return trip to the finals in the juniors division.