THE SAN BEDA Red Spikers opened the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 100 Men’s Volleyball Tournament with a closely fought, 22-25, 29-31, 23-25, three-set defeat against defending four-peat champions, the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta (UPHSD) Altas last February 22 at the SSC-R Gym.    

Opening the match, the first set saw a trade of leads between the Red Spikers and Altas. With both teams failing to get the upper hand in the early stages of the set, the momentum shifted toward the defending champions, forcing a time-out from the side of San Beda with a score of 11-14.

 After the time-out, a service error from the side of Perpetual was followed by attack points from Ralph Cabalsa, Axel Van Book, and block points from Andrie Bakil and Alener Munsing who tied the score at 16 points a piece. 

Despite this, the momentum of the Red Spikers was put to a halt after Perpetual went on a four-point unanswered run, 16-20 in favor of the Altas. The Altas continued to rack up points while the Red Spikers followed closely behind. Ultimately, the Red Spikers dropped the first set of the match, 22-25, after an attack point from KC Andrade from the side of the Altas. 

The second set saw the Red Spikers start strong with an 8-4 lead in the early moments of play. The Altas were able to even the score at 10-10, and the rest of the set saw a thrilling trade of points. After reaching set point with a score of 24-22 in favor of Perpetual, the Red Spikers were able to force extra play. After an exchange of set points, the defending champions were able to take the two-point advantage, ending the second set with a score of 29-31 in favor of Perpetual. 

The third set saw the Altas continue their momentum from their previous set victory. After scoring the first three points of the set, the four-peat champions were able to take an 11-6 advantage. Determined to chip away from the lead, a rally of attack points from the Red Spikers headed by Mark Kevin Montemayor forced a timeout from the side of the Altas, with the Red Spikers taking a 16-15 lead. 

The remainder of the contest saw both Season 98 finalists trade advantages. However, the Atlas were able to seal match point after a block touch from the Red Spikers ended the contest with a set score of 23-25 in favor of Perpetual. 

Despite the opening-day setback, the Red Spikers will look to recover in home territory against the Arellano Chiefs on Friday, February 28, at 3:00 p.m. at the SBU Gym. 

(with Prince Piolo Tagarino)

Set Scores:

San Beda – UPHSD: 22-25, 29-31, 23-25

Box Scores: 

San Beda (0): Book 16, Bakil, 12, Montemayor 10, Munsing 9, Cabalsa 8, Castañeda 4, Rosman 1

UPHSD (3): Tabuga 16, Marapoc 15, Andrade 9, Manaloto 8, Rosos 6, Mateo 2