Defending champion Perpetual Help earned a second straight finals’ appearance in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 99 following a 9-0 elimination round sweep, beating Emilio Aguinaldo College, 25-23, 25-23, 25-23, on Sunday at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan City.
It was a neck-to neck battle, with reigning MVP and national pool member Louie Ramirez and Cebuano Jeffrey Marapoc leading the charge for the Altas.
The Las Pinas team also drew outstanding support from middle blockers Michael Medalla and KC Andrade, open hitter Kobe Tabuga, setter JC Enarciso and libero John Phillip Pepito as they kept their attempt to defend the crown they have held for three seasons alive.
The game looked like a preview of the finals of this year’s men’s division as the Generals finished with an 8-1 card at second and climbed to the last stage of the stepladder semis.
Ramirez tallied 20 points, 19 of which came in attacks, while Marapoc contributed 13 points, Enarcisco listed 19 excellent sets and Pepito had 9 digs and 6 receptions.
Patrick Osabel and Ruther Abor of the Generals led the squad with 20 and 14 points apiece.
“Pinaghandaan talaga namin ito sa training as we scouted their games to get this win. Mabuti naman at na-execute namin ang mga plays we prepared during our practice sessions,” said multi-titled coach Sinfronio ‘Sammy’ Acaylar.
The Perpetual Altas of team owner Dr. Tony Tamayo aim to win their 14th league title this year under legendary coach Acaylar.
A title triumph will crown the Altas as the league’s winningest team, surpassing the record of Letran Knights with 13 titles.
The Altas Spikers also swept the Season 98 elims and clinched their three-peat against the challenger San Beda Red Spikers in the best-of-three finals.