The University of Perpetual Help System DALTA weathered the storm that was Colegio de San Juan de Letran, clinching a crucial 25-20, 25-17, 14-25, 20-25, 15-9 victory in the NCAA Season 100 men's volleyball tournament.
The ALTAs got their acts together in the crucial fifth set behind veterans Jeff Marapoc and Kobe Tabuga to seize solo third with a 7-4 win-loss card while the Knights fell to 6-5.
"'Yung third set parang naging kampante kami and then nu'ng alam na namin na lumalaban na 'yung kalaban, tinibayan na namin 'yung laro namin," Tabuga said.
"Inisip lang namin 'yung mga inaral namin nu'ng training."
Perpetual displayed its championship form in the first two sets, but lost steam in the next two as Vince Himzon, Bembem Bautista, and Lorenz Vicente joined forces to spark Letran's comeback.
But the ALTAs rediscovered their rhythm when it mattered most as Marapoc unleashed back-to-back attacks that led to an 8-5 lead for the four-time defending champions.
Letran then responded and trimmed the gap to one after a Dave Lardizabal ace, 8-9.
But Perpetual, eager to avenge their first-round loss to Letran, answered with a blistering 5–0 run, highlighted by a Marapoc back-row kill and capped by a Wayne Araño attack error, extending their advantage to 14–8.
Tabuga then sealed the win with a powerful hammer from the opposite side, keeping the ALTAs’ Final Four aspirations alive and well.
Marapoc top-scored with 28 points anchored on 24 attacks, three blocks, and one ace alongside 19 receptions while Tabuga chipped in 18 markers built on 12 attacks, five blocks, and one ace.
Bautista and Himzon paced Letran with 19 and 17 points apiece, but their productions weren't enough as Letran slipped to fifth place and out of the Final Four picture so far.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
