Youngster Paolo Barrientos took charge to carry Jose Rizal University to a vengeful 25-21, 25-21, 25-22 win against Emilio Aguinaldo College in the NCAA Season 100 men's volleyball tournament on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The rookie outside spiker shone on both ends after dropping 18 points built on 16 attacks and two blocks laced with 12 receptions and nine digs as the Heavy Bombers halted a two-game losing streak to improve to 3-11.
JRU was also able to avenge its 9-25, 18-25, 20-25 loss to the Generals in the first round, which saw the Heavy Bombers go winless in nine outings before they turned things around here in the second round.
JRU broke a 10-all deadlock with Barrientos going down-the-line to give the Heavy Bombers a 13-11 lead before another rookie sensation in Harry Ocay denied Paul Gula on the opposite side to make it a 16-13 cushion.
But the Generals, last year's finalists, showed resilience and made a desperate comeback attempt with middle blocker Michael Gela tying things up at 19-all to give JRU the scare.
Still, the Heavy Bombers didn't waver under pressure with Barrientos first unleashing an offensive kill for a 20-19 lead before displaying his defensive might on Frelwin Taculog to push their lead back to 22-20.
JRU middle blocker and team captain Bryle Alipan showed up in the clutch, unloading back-to-back quick plays to send JRU to the match point before Ocay closed it out with a strong kill from the right side.
Ocay and Alipan supplied the help with 11 points each while Matthew Mallilin and Jake Fernandez each tallied seven markers.
The Generals, who were just coming off a four-set stunner against defending champion Perpetual last Sunday, relied on Joshua Olivo and Gela, who finished with 12 and 10 points apiece.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
