NCAA: Altas withstand Generals, clinch ‘four-peat’

Perpetual Help’s Jay dela Cruz (2) smiles as he holds a trophy after the Atlas won a squeaker over the Emilio Aguinaldo Generals to secure their fourth straight championship Monday at the Arena in San Juan. Contributed Photo

MANILA, Philippines — All tried, all failed.

Perpetual Help outlasted Emilio Aguinaldo College, 25-22, 26-24, 18-25, 23-25, 15-13, en route to another perfect season and a fourth straight NCAA Season 89 men’s volleyball championship Monday at the Arena in San Juan.

Jay dela Cruz, who was named season and Finals MVP, led the way with 24 points for the Altas, who fanned their remarkable winning streak to 47 games dating back to Season 86.

“I’m happy and it’s great that we won,” said Perpetual Help coach Sammy Acaylar, whose team won its ninth title overall. “Their hard work paid off and it showed.”

“I didn’t expect he would be that excellent (dela Cruz). I just told him to stand out because he is the team captain,” Acaylar added.

The Generals put up quite a challenge — coming back from two sets down and threatened to snap their opponents’ streak — in stark contrast to their performance in the Finals opener where the Altas cruised to a 25-18, 25-21, 25-23, win last Friday.

Howard Mojica validated his Best Scorer recognition with a 41-point outburst to go along with eight digs that had EAC going toe-to-toe with Perpetual Help.

The Altas had more weapons though with former MVP Edmar Sanchez and Bonjomar Castel adding 14 points apiece to backup dela Cruz.