Emilio Aguinaldo College slammed the door on Mapua University, claiming a resounding 25-16, 25-22, 25-20 win in the NCAA Season 101 men's volleyball tournament on Sunday at the San Andres Sports Complex.
The Generals secured a solid outing from middle blocker Michael Gela, along with the tandem of Jan Ruther Abor and Frelwin Taculog, to sweep the Cardinals and take solo leadership in Group B with a 6-2 card. Mapua, meanwhile, absorbed its second loss in a row to drop to 3-4 in Group A.
Gela’s massive rejection of Barbie San Andres broke the 19-all deadlock, and EAC quickly secured a 21-19 lead following a powerful return from Taculog off an overpass by Mapua libero Dave Lares.
Mapua's middle blocker Alvin Macadangdang scored a quick hit from the middle to halt EAC's momentum, but the Generals immediately countered with a decisive 4-0 closing run to complete the sweep victory.
Explosive opposite hitter Abor ignited that run with a statement backrow cross-court kill. San Andres then misfired on his attack and Gela rose to the occasion with another emphatic block, this time stuffing his counterpart Macadangdang to push EAC to match point, 24–20.
Edward Rosagaran then put the icing on the cake by burying the game-sealing ace.
Gela top-scored with 14 points anchored on six blocks while Taculog and Abor both contributed 13 markers to help EAC seize the top spot so far in its group followed by San Beda (5-3), Arellano (4-2), Letran (3-3), and Lyceum (1-6).
San Andres poured 16 points, three digs, and four receptions in the loss.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
