Perpetual Help Altas. NCAA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Perpetual Help completed a three-peat after fending off San Beda, 25-21, 25-20, 22-25, 25-22, to rule the NCAA Season 98 men’s volleyball tournament on Sunday at San Juan Arena.
The Altas won their 13th overall men’s volleyball crown to tie Letran with the most titles in the division.
Perpetual Help made sure not to make the same mistakes it did in Game 2 when it blew a 2-0 set lead and fell to the Red Spikers in a five-setter classic on Friday.
“We talked about a lot [after Friday] especially since we didn’t get the title. We focused on our lapses and we watched where we were weak at and then we just found out that we can really do it today,” Louie Ramirez, who was named Finals MVP, said.
The defending champions, however, couldn’t make quick work of the Red Spikers, who went on a crucial 6-2 spurt in the third set to extend the match.
Louie Ramirez, who is also the Season MVP, made sure a fifth set won’t be necessary this time as he took charge for Perpetual Help.
Ramirez fired back-to-back points for a 16-11 cushion before scoring in succession again after San Beda pulled within, 21-20, to put the Red Spikers away for good. He finished with a game-high 26 points.
Lorenz Calayag and Ralph Cabalsa had 12 points each for San Beda.