Jr Altas edge Pirates, close in on junior title

Perpetual Help fought back from one set down and wore down Lyceum of the Phl U in a gripping five-setter, carving out a 25-16, 23-25, 19-25, 25-18, 15-10 victory to move within a win of  completing a three-peat in the juniors division of the 92nd NCAA volleyball tournament at the San Juan Arena.

Ivan Encila hammered in 20 hits while Paul Solamin, Marvien Castillo and Ryuji Condrad Etorma added 19, 17 and 12 points, respectively, to push the Junior Altas closer to completing their remarkable fightback and a ninth overall plum.

The Las Pinas-based school, which routed LPU, 25-21, 25-18, 25-22, in the series opener last Tuesday, shoots for the clincher on Tuesday.

A decider, if necessary, is on Feb. 16.

“We knew they’re going to bounce back strong and I’m happy we were able to handle it and adjusted well,” said Perpetual Help coach Sandy Rieta.

LPU, which swept the elims and came into the finals with a huge thrice-to-beat edge, is now in danger of getting swept in reverse by a gutsy Perpetual Help side.

The Junior Pirates actually fought back from a first set loss by seizing the next two sets to move one set away from taking the match and regaining the series lead.

But the Junior Altas refused to give up with Encila, Solamin and Castillo combining to deliver the blows in the last two sets to steal the win.