Altas rally to cop volley crown vs Generals

MANILA, Philippines - Perpetual Help charged back from six points down in the decider then outsteadied Emilio Aguinaldo College in a pressure-packed endgame to snatch a 25-22, 23-25, 29-27, 22-25, 17-15 victory and the men’s championship in the 91st NCAA volleyball at The Arena in San Juan City yesterday.

On the brink after dropping the fourth set and trailing, 5-11, in the decider, the Altas put their act together one last time and mounted a spirited comeback that saw them pile up points on hits, aces and blocks en route to stealing the set, the match and the championship via a 2-1 series victory.

Rey Taneo Jr. and skipper Bonjomar Castel fired 18 hits apiece while Relan Taneo and Manuel Doliente added 11 markers each while the rest backed them up with gritty floor and net defense to help anchor the team’s stirring come-from-behind win.

After Warren Lewis Catipay scored the championship-clinching ace, Perpetual Help and its fans erupted into wild celebration as the Las Piñas-based school clinched their second-league best 11th men’s crown.

It was also redemption for the Altas, who failed to make it to the finals last year topped by the Generals.

“Nothing is impossible if you really want to win. I told them to forget the score, forget everything and just play. Even if they are one point away, just continue fighting,” said Perpetual Help coach Sammy Acaylar.

Earlier, power-spiking Howard Mojica of EAC raked in most of the individual awards, including a second straight MVP plum. He finished with a series best 28 points.

But he fell short to lead the Generals to their second title. 

Ironically, no Perpetual Help player won an individual award.

Taneo, meanwhile, took the Finals MVP honors for his clutch plays in the whole series.

“I know he’ll do big because his parents were also my players before,” said Acaylar of Taneo’s parents Rey Sr. and Melanie.

On top of the 11 men’s titles, Acaylar also won eight junior crowns and two in the women’s side.

“I couldn’t do this without the help of Perpetual Help, which gave us full support,” said Acaylar.

Earlier, Gretchel Soltones bagged her second MVP where the San Sebastian stalwart was reunited with her estranged mother, Marilyn Mollena after 13 years.

EAC’s Ralph Joshua Pitogo was the juniors MVP.