Jeff Marapoc and Kobe Tabuga delivered when it mattered most as University of Perpetual Help System DALTA braved through a five-set care from a determined Lyceum of the Philippines University, 25-15, 25-16, 22-25, 19-25, 15-9, in the NCAA Season 100 men's volleyball tournament on Saturday.
The veteran spikers dropped clutch points in the deciding fifth set as the five-peat seeking ALTAs remained flawless with a 3-0 card while the Pirates slipped to a 0-3 card and absorbed their 21st loss in a row dating back since Season 98.
Skipper Marapoc poured in a double-double effort of 24 attacks and 12 receptions while Tabuga churned out 22 markers, including six in the all-important fifth set, as the defending champions preserved their immaculate run so far.
Perpetual, who had either swept their foes or won it in four sets the past games, faced a huge challenge from LPU as brothers Gian and Jun Edang took the scoring cudgels in the third and fourth sets with the latter bringing them to a 23-18 lead in the third.
A KC Andrade attack error and another outside kill from Jun Edang had LPU dragging the four-peat champions to a fifth set.
The Pirates, whose last win came in the pandemic-hit Season 95, built on that momentum and opened the final frame with a 3-0 start before a John Cielo opposite kill sent them to a slim 4-3 lead.
But Perpetual displayed its championship poise, retaliating with a 5-0 barrage led by Tabuga's three points that allowed them to create an 8-4 cushion. Marapoc then served up an ace for a 12-6 lead before Jhon Icon Aquino, who was also crucial in LPU's third and fourth set victories, committed an attack error to give Perpetual the match point at 14-9.
Tabuga made sure to put the cherry on top, unloading an attack from the middle to complete the victory.
LPU's gallant effort saw reigning Freshman of the Year Jun Edang dropping 18 points while the lefty Aquino finished with 17 markers and nine receptions.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
