The troika of Ruther Abor, Ervin Osabel, and Marvin Romero took over to steer Emilio Aguinaldo College to a dramatic 30-28, 25-15, 19-25, 28-26 victory against Colegio de San Juan de Letran in their semifinals clash to seal a spot in the NCAA Season 99 men's volleyball finals on Wednesday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
The Generals survived a comeback ploy from the Knights in the crucial fourth set to complete the victory and clinch a championship spot for the first time since Season 91 in 2016.
Incidentally, the Generals will take on the defending champion University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, the same school they faced the last time they were at the finals stage.
"Masaya kami kasi 'yung pinaghirapan namin doon sa training, nag-pay off na. Hindi namin din ine-expect na aabot kami dito sa finals kasi dinahan-dahan namin," EAC head coach Rod Palmero told GMA News Online.
"Siguro dahil doon sa naging dedication nila doon sa pagkawala ng isang player."
(We're happy because what we worked hard in training paid off. We did not expect to reach the finals because we were taking it slowly. Perhaps, it's because we are dedicating this to the loss of one of our players.)
The lefty opposite hitter Ruther abor top-scored EAC with 24 points anchored on 20 attacks and three blocks, including the rejection on Vince Himzon to end the first set that saw the Generals climb back from a 24-22 deficit.
Letran tried to mount the exact same comeback in the fourth set, erasing a six-point disadvantage to force a crucial deadlock at 24-alll after Himzon and Rylie Sta. Maria denied Abor on his attack.
Another Sta. Maria kill from the right wing tied things up at 26-all before Romero squeezed it through the wall of Namron Caballero and Wayne Araño for the match point, 27-26.
Romero took his time on the service line before serving up an ace to seal the deal for the Generals, who are dedicating this season to their late teammate Mark Justin Cabacang.
Osabel churned out 20 points, nine digs, and eight receptions while Romero chipped in 18 markers.
Letran got solid outings from Himzon and Sta. Maria, ho put together 22 and 21 points apiece while Bembem Bautista chimed in with nine markers.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
