Setter Klint Mateo proved that he can be an offensive threat too, steering University of Perpetual Help System DALTA to a 25-23, 24-26, 25-19, 25-23 win over Arellano University in the NCAA Season 101 men’s volleyball on Saturday.
The fourth-year playmaker dropped 14 points to go with his 24 excellent sets, helping the ALTAs take down the defending champions and extend their streak to five for a 5-2 card.
With the victory, Perpetual seized solo control of Group A, while the Chiefs slipped to a 4–2 mark in Group B.
But for Mateo, one of the last holdovers from Perpetual’s Season 99 championship squad, the recent string of wins hasn’t meant much just yet.
“Sa amin, hindi namin tine-take advantage kasi mahaba pa ‘yung season at saka ‘yung first two losses namin, ayun talaga ‘yung naging inspiration namin para sa mga susunod na laban,” Mateo told GMA News Online.
“[Nagkaro’n kami] ng disiplina at saka ‘yung bondng namin as a team.”
Still, they will gladly take this win, especially against the reigning champions.
The Altas took early control in Set 4 with Mateo bringing his camp to a 17-14 lead off his own spike.
But the Chiefs displayed their championship poise by digging deep from its bench as transferee Ervin Osabel sparked a rally, going through the Perpetual wall to cut the deficit to one, 17-18.
Dexter Arrozado and John Castil then came up with back-to-back attacks before a Jiwen Sinuto attack error allowed the Las Piñas crew to build another comfortable lead at 21-17.
Arky Corpuz sent Perpetual to the match point, completing a running kill that saw them clinch a 24-19 cushion.
But the Chiefs refused to just surrender as middle blocker Daniel Agovida fueled a 4-0 blast thanks to his relentless net defense that made life difficult for the ALTAs and trimmed the gap to just a point, 23-24.
Marc Tangon, however, crushed Arellano’s comeback hopes, firing a cross-court hammer that was initially called out but was later ruled in after a successful challenge.
Castil led the Perpetual offense with 16 points while Tangon and Jester Bornel chipped in 14 and 13 markers apiece. Tangon also delivered five digs and 15 receptions.
Sinuto paced Arellano with a team-high 23 points while CJ Dominguito churned out 13 markers and 16 receptions.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
