Reigning titlist Perpetual Help came back from two sets down to turn back San Beda, 18-25, 18-25, 25-20, 25-17, 15-11, and book the first finals berth in the men’s division of the 92nd NCAA volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Center yesterday.
Down two sets, power-hitting Rey Taneo Jr. took charge and unleashed a match-best 29 hits, the bulk of which came in the final three sets when the Altas mounted a huge comeback to escape with the win.
“We didn’t give up, that’s the most important thing,” said Perpetual Help coach Sammy Acaylar in Filipino.
Manuel Doliente chipped in 12 points while Esmail Kasim added 10 to help the Las Piñas-based spikers snatch the win.
Perpetual Help thus booked their sixth finals appearance in the last seven seasons and on course on winning their second straight crown and sixth championship in that span.
The only time the Altas failed to win the crown came two years ago when they failed to make it to the finals.
The Emilio Aguinaldo Generals, then led by MVP Howard Mojica, beat the St. Benilde Blazers to claim the crown.
Now Perpetual Help awaits its finals foe, which could be between top seed St. Benilde and No. 4 San Beda.
The Blazers and the Red Spikers were playing at press time.