25-05-2025
Benilde overcomes Perpetual, ends ALTAs' reign in NCAA men's volleyball
NCAA
There will be a new champion in NCAA men's volleyball soon.
On Sunday, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde defeated the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, 24-26, 25-22, 30-28, 25-17, to eliminate the ALTAs from playoff contention in the NCAA Season 100 men's volleyball tournament and end the Las Piñas crew's hopes for a fifth straight crown.
The two teams were neck-and-neck early in the fourth set as they were tied at 8 before the Blazers pulled away and took a 14-10 lead. Perpetual caught up as it trailed 16-14, but Benilde pulled away anew with the likes of Raymark Betco and James Marasigan leading in the rally.
With Benilde leading 20-16, Jeff Marapoc tried to put Perpetual closer, but Marasigan, Mike Balbacal, Jacob Herrera, scored three straight for the Blazers. A service ace from Marasigan put Benilde at match point before Rocky Roy Motol sealed the victory.
Motol led the Blazers with 28 points from 25 attacks and three blocks, to go with 17 receptions and nine digs, while Jacob Agassi Herrera added 19 points. Marasigan had his own triple-double of 14 points, 23 receptions, and 12 digs, while 13 points.
Kobe Brian Taguba's 29 points and Marapoc's 16-point output for the ALTAs went to naught as Perpetual fell short in the end game.
Benilde, now at the top spot with 14-3, will still play Lyceum of the Philippines University on Friday. Perpetual, who slipped to 9-8, will wrap its season on Wednesday against San Beda University.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
