Games tomorrow (Philsports Arena, Pasig)
10 a.m. – NCBA vs UP (S Turf)
12 nn – PMMS vs NU (S Turf)
UAAP champion Ateneo turned back Emilio Aguinaldo College, 25-23, 26-28, 25-20, 25-17, while NCAA titlist Perpetual Help checked its skid in time to nip La Salle, 25-20, 25-15, 19-25, 14-25, 15-12, yesterday as they surged ahead in their respective divisions in the Spikers’ Turf Season 2 Collegiate Conference at Philsports Arena in Pasig.
The Eagles banked on reigning league MVP Marck Espejo, Rex Intal and Joshua Alexis Miguel to repulse the tough-fighting Generals and notch their second straight win following their 25-19, 25-23, 25-16 victory over the San Beda Lions last Wednesday.
The troika combined for 42 hits with Ish Polvorosa providing superb playmaking by dishing out 52 excellent sets while adding four hits as Ateneo took charge in Group B with a 2-0 card.
“We have to keep playing aggressive every game for us to have a chance of winning again,” said Ateneo coach Oliver Almandro.
The Altas matched the Eagles two-win start in Group A although the Las Piñas-based squad needed to check an impending skid to turn back the Archers.
Banking on its balanced attack, Perpetual took the first two sets, only to stumble in the face of the Archers’ strong fightback in the next two behind Raymark Woo, forcing the decider.
But the Altas recovered in time and outsteadied the Archers in a tense-filled fifth set to score a follow-up to their 25-13, 25-17, 25-23 victory over newcomer Philippine Merchant Marine School last Wednesday.