The Rizal Technological University Blue Thunder drew strength on the heroics of two veterans to get past the de La Salle University-Dasmarinas Patriots, 27-25, 13-25, 25-14, 23-25, 15-13, Thursday, Jan. 29, and clinch the men’s title of the 17th National Capital Region Athletic Association (NCRAA) volleyball tournament.
Aldasir Biting and Abdul Sabtal stepped up in the last two sets as they led the Blue Thunder to their second crown in three years when the smoke of battle cleared at the Olivarez College Sports Complex in Sucat, Paranaque.
It took the Blue Thunder around 100 minutes to get past the Patriots and complete a 2-0 sweep of their best-of-three finals series in this spikefest which is supported by Mikasa and Molten Balls.
Earlier, the La Salle-Dasmarinas Lady Patriots proved deadlier with the return of veterans April Almaden and Regina Tungol, carried the Caviteno spikers to a 26-24, 22-25,25-21, 25-21, stopping of the RTU Lady Thunder in Game 2 of the women’s championship.
The Lady Patriots tied their best-of-three showdown with RTU at 1-all and they will meet in a deciding Game 3 encounter on Thursday at the Ugnayang La Salle gymnasium at 10 a.m.
The Blue Thunder, who lost the crown to Philippine Merchant Marine School when they took a leave of absence last season, turned the tables on the Blue Thunder after they lost ground in the fourth set.
They earlier took Game 1 with a 25-23, 25-22, 25-21 win over the Patriots.
In the fourth set, the count was tied at 23-al when RTU fell behind on the blocking of the Patriots. But they bounced back on the services and attacks of Biting and Sabtal, and moved out of reach with an 11-3 run.
“Kinargahan ng mga bata ang serves nila kaya nakuha namin,” said RTU coach George Pascua.
The Lady Patriots needed 95 minutes to fend off the Lady Thunder and got a boost from powerful spikes from Almaden and Tungol, who did not play in Game 1 because of their thesis defense.
The two joined hands with Jennifer Manzano and Wensh Tiu, and they whipped up a storm with their attacking combinations at the front and back.
“May dagdag na experience ang laro namin. Naging factor ito sa panalo namin,” said Lady Patriots coach Darwin Campana.
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