Jose Rizal University and Emilio Aguinaldo College both survived grueling five-set thrillers to barge into the win column of the NCAA Season 101 men's volleyball tournament on Wednesday at the San Andres Sports Complex.
The Heavy Bombers stunned former champion University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, 25-17, 26-28, 25-22, 17-25, 15-9, to bounce back from their previous loss to San Sebastian College-Recoletos.
Sophomore star Harry Ocay erupted for 30 points anchored on 26 attacks, two blocks, and two aces together with 17 receptions while Paolo Barrientos churned out 21 markers, 25 receptions, and nine digs as JRU improved to 1-1.
Zain Mohammad and Dexter Arrozado paced the ALTAs with 16 and 15 points each, but those were not enough as the former four-peat champions sank to a 0-2 start.
In the second game, EAC pulled off a similar escape act after eking out an 18-25, 25-19, 27-25, 23-25, 17-15 win against San Beda University behind the tandem of Michael Gela and the Jan Ruther Abor.
Middle blocker Gela detonated for a team-high 29 points built on 23 attacks, four blocks, and two aces while the returning Abor, who missed a big chunk of Season 100 due to ankle sprain, poured in 27 markers and eight digs.
The win served as a bounce back victory for EAC, which opened its campaign with a straight-sets loss to Colegio de San Juan de Letran last Sunday.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
