University of Perpetual Help System Dalta captured the men’s and juniors’ titles in the 94th NCAA volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
The Altas bucked a slow start and eked out a 23-25, 25-17, 25-17, 25-23 victory over the College of St. Benilde Blazers in Game 2 to complete an 11-game sweep of the men’s division and snare their 12th title overall, two less the league-best 14 by Letran.
The Junior Altas, for their part, turned back the Letran Squires, 25-19, 30-28, 25-17, to likewise sweep their way to a fifth straight title and 11th overall, four crowns behind San Sebastian College’s league-high 15 championships.
Joebert Almodiel and Ridzuan Muhali took turns in firing a match-high 19 points apiece as UPHSD, which seized the series opener, 23-25, 25-19, 23-25, 25-23, 15-12, Friday, in the series-clinching triumph.
The 21-year-old Almodiel, the back-to-back season Most Valuable Player, ended up with the Finals’ MVP plum as well to cap an amazing season.
“This is the product of the team’s hard work and sacrifice,” said UPHSD athletic director and men’s team coach Sammy Acaylar.
The Sandy Rieta-mentored Junior Altas were more impressive as they never conceded a single set to the Squires in their series after a commanding 25-15, 25-19, 25-19 win in Game 1.
The Las Pinas-based school is eyeing to become to third team win all three volleyball titles in a season next to former Ateneo, which did it once in 1984, and San Sebastian, which accomplished it six times in 984, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 2002.