Jan Ruther Abor proved his previous explosive outings were no fluke, steering Emilio Aguinaldo College to a 25-13, 25-23, 25-22 win over the struggling Jose Rizal University in NCAA Season 101 men's volleyball on Tuesday at the San Andres Sports Complex.
The lefty opposite hitter top-scored anew with 22 points anchored on 19 attacks and two blocks while also grabbing five digs as the Generals returned to their winning ways at 4-2, bouncing back from a previous loss to Perpetual.
Abor's new all-around display followed his three consecutive 30-point performances against LPU, Arellano, and the ALTAs. The loss, meanwhile, dragged the Heavy Bombers to their fourth loss in a row to go 1-5.
Despite the loss, JRU managed to challenge EAC in the third set when team captain and opposite spiker Mathew Mallilin returned an overpass to force a 20-all deadlock.
But Abor unleashed a strong hammer from the right wing before middle blocker Michael Gela denied Mallilin, giving the Generals a much-needed 22-20 cushion. Gela then punished JRU with a quick kill, taking a 23-21 lead.
A Macalalad hit from the left side, though, trimmed JRU's deficit to a solitary point, 22-23.
Abor, however, delivered the finishing blow by hitting a down-the-line kill from the opposite side and serving an ace to close it out.
Gela supplied the help with 18 points anchored on 11 attacks and seven huge blocks while Joshua Olivo chipped in 10 markers.
JRU, missing sophomore star Harry Ocay, leaned on Macalalad's 11-point showing, while Paolo Barrientos scored just three points but grabbed four digs and 10 receptions.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
