SPIKER-turned-actor Johnvic de Guzman took charge during a crucial stretch in the second set and his heroics helped lift the College of St. Benilde Blazers to a 25-17, 26-24, 25-17 stopping of the University of Perpetual Help Altas in Game 1 yesterday at the Arena in San Juan.
The 6’1” De Guzman, who appeared in a horror movie last December, tallied a game-high 19 points for the Blazers as they moved a win closer to the men’s division title of the 92nd National Collegiate Athletic Association volleyball tournament.
“Ako ang nagse-serve noon. Sabi ko, ako na ang magte-take charge, hindi ako dapat mag-error. Kung magiging tactical ako, ang mga teammates ko ay handang magbuhos ng effort. So, focus lang ako,” said De Guzman, who is the team’s skipper.
The Altas, with Manuel Dollente hitting 10 points, were at matchpoint, 24-22, in the second set when De Guzman scored on a long placement shot from the net and an ace to tie the match, 24-all.
A drop shot from Mark Anthony Deximo followed by an ace from De Guzman gave CSB a 2-0 lead after the first two sets Blazers’ coach Arnold Laniog said their situation brought to mind what took place in the semifinals when they beat the Arellano University Chiefs, 27-25, 25-20, 25-14 De Guzman unloaded an ace and a kill as the Blazers moved away, 4-0, in the third set.
They never looked back after Francis Basilan’s spike off a block and De Guzman’s ace widened the Blazers’ edge by five, 16-11.
The Blazers can clinch their first-ever men’s title if they complete a 2-game sweep of their best-of-three series on Monday.
Earlier, Ivan Encila made 19 points for University of Perpetual Help as it slammed Emilio Aguinaldo College, 25-20, 23-25, 25-20, 25-16, in the junior division stepladder semis. This allowed the Junior Altas to reach the finals with Lyceum, which earlier swept the elims.
Regine Arocha dished out 16 points, 12 of it on attacks, to tow the Arellano University Lady Chiefs to a 19-25, 25-23, 19-25, 35-13, 15-9 triumph over the defending champion College of St. Benilde Lady Blazers in their semifinal playoff.
This put the Lady Chiefs in a showdown with the San Sebastian Lady Stags on Tuesday.