Mapua University and University of Perpetual University System-DALTA triumphed in the NCAA Season 99 Boys and Girls Volleyball Fiesta championship in convincing fashion.
The Red Robins Spikers swept Arellano University in game two of the boys division, 25-20, 25-21, 25-22.
Despite denying Arellano a single set win in the finals, team captain Charles Jordan Segui told GMA Regional TV News that their championship run was not easy at all.
“Nung elims kasi, alam namin na hindi pa yun yung game na nilalaro namin talaga… nagtiwala lang kami sa system, especially sa mga coaches namin tapos nagtiwala lang kami sa isa’t-isa,” he said.
They also had to overcome the mighty Perpetual Junior Altas, 26-24, 25-20, 20-25, 25-23, to reach the finals.
“Binigay talaga namin yung best namin ngayong finals kasi di biro yung semis namin kasi Perpetual yung nakalaban namin, 6-peat champion so binuhos lang namin kasi last na rin naman,” Segui shared.
He also shared with GMA Regional TV News the struggles they endured starting from the offseason preparations, including losing some key players.
“Tagal naming pinaghirapan ito, ang daming naging struggles ng team namin, may mga umalis, may mga dumating and kung sino yung nandito yun na lang. Sobrang hirap… twice a day training, puro weights sa umaga tapos training sa hapon, nakakapagod pero ito naman yung bunga ng paghihirap namin so okay lang, worth it lahat,” he said.
Meanwhile, in the girls division, the Lady Junior Altas escaped Arellano’s gallant stand in a nail-biting five-set thriller, 19-25, 25-23, 24-26, 25-22,18-16.
Arellano’s outside hitter committed a service error to give Perpetual the championship point before Sherrie Acosta ended the long rally in front of a jam-packed FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan.
One of Perpetual’s key players, Jem Menor, credits the team’s chemistry as key for them to win the championship.
“Pinaghirapan po talaga namin yung laro namin para makamit po yung gintong medalya… nagka-isa po kami sa loob ng court para mapatunayan po namin na lahat ng hirap is ma-apply po namin sa totoong championship game na ito.”