University of Perpetual Help dug deep into its bag of tricks and downed defending champion College of St. Benilde, 23-25, 25-23, 25-22, 23-25, 15-9, to sweep the NCAA men’s volleyball elims Tuesday at The Arena in San Juan City.
Facing the specter of losing their first game, the Altas regrouped in the deciding set and came through with brilliant combination plays behind the inspired showing of Joebert Almodiel to advance to the finals for a third straight year.
They finished the elims unbeaten in nine games, dropping only three sets including two from the Blazers.
With Perpetual’s outright finals appearance, St. Benilde (6-3) had to go through the stepladder semifinals along with Arellano (8-1) and San Beda (7-2) for the other championship ticket.
Almodiel finished with 23 points including 21 hits, while Ridzuan Muhali and skipper Rey Taneo added 15 and 14 points, respectively.
