Perpetual Help kept its title-retention bid alive as it downed Emilio Aguinaldo, 23-25, 25-19, 25-23, 25-19, yesterday in the second stepladder semis of the 92nd NCAA Juniors Volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan City.
Ivan Encila led the way with 18 hits including 16 on kills while Marvien Castillo, Paul Solamin and Ryuji Condrad Etorma scattered 16, 13 and 10 points, respectively, to help the Junior Altas forge a do-or-die game against the Brigadiers on Friday.
With their backs against the wall, the Las Piñas-based school fought off a first set loss by going on attack mode and strengthening their defense in the final three sets that impressed their coach.
“The players just refused to lose after we lost that first set, the boys played harder,” said Perpetual Help coach Sandy Rieta in Filipino.
EAC needed just a win to arrange a title showdown with Lyceum of the Phl U after seizing the No. 2 seed and twice-to-beat edge that goes with it after the single-round elimination.
Perpetual Help just refused to fade into the night and force another game.
The Junior Pirates swept their way to the finals in seven games and will enjoy a thrice-to-beat edge there.