Perpetual-Kinto picked itself up from a stinging three-set defeat to powerhouse Sta. Elena last Wednesday as the Altas ran the Army Troopers to the ground, 25-18, 25-14, 25-16, to wheel back into contention in Pool A on Sunday at Paco Arena.
Louie Ramirez peppered Army’s defense with 11 attack points and highlighted his top-scoring 18-point production with four blocks and three aces in a sterling all-around effort so unlike in his nine-point output against the Nationals.
Klint Mateo and Jefferson Marapoc added nine points each while Micheal Medalla finished with seven markers as the Altas overwhelmed the Troopers in all departments – 37-24 in spikes, 7-1 in blocks and 7-2 in serves – to complete the one-hour, 13-minute rout.
“I wasn’t satisfied in our first game but today, we played better,” said Perpetual coach Sammy Acaylar. “I always tell them during practice that they should be perfectionist because in actual games, there will be emotional and mental factors. But this time, they performed well.”
So impressive were the Altas that the Troopers, who outlasted the Iloilo D’Navigators in five last week, struggled all game to break their net defense and slow down Ramirez.
Mark Enciso’s eight points proved to be the best Army could muster as Benjaylo Labide ended up with six markers and Kevin Liberato and Joel Villonson wound up with three points apiece.
Perpetual Help thus tied Army at 1-1, leaving Ateneo-Fudgee Barr and Sta. Elena-National U in the lead with 1-0 cards in the most loaded pool in the four-group tournament where the top two after the round robin elims will advance to the quarterfinals.
