UNIVERSITY of Perpetual Help System Dalta stayed glued together down the stretch to repulse hard-fighting San Beda, 25-21, 25-20, 22-25, 25-22 in Game three of the best-of-three championship series for the men’s volleyball crown in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Sunday at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan City.

And with it, the Altas completed a rare three-peat with their second victory in three games of the best-of-three championship series that all but extended their dynasty interrupted only by the Covid-19 pandemic that scrapped the men’s division’s last three tournaments in as many years.

Overall, it was Perpetual U’s 13th title, making the Altas side the second-winningest team in the country’s oldest school league, right behind Letran’s 14.

As expected, Louie Ramirez again emerged as Finals MVP, reinforcing the season MVP plum bestowed on him earlier.

Ramirez is the main author of countless championship-clinching kills for the Altas.

Meantime, the Red Spikers will have to wait for another year to capture the elusive crown.

San Beda actually sailed closest to snaring the crown when the Red Spikers forced the rubber match while ending Perpetual’s 32-match winning streak last Friday, 14 April 2023.

They came into play in Game 3 holding a slight psychological edge and San Beda was poised to pick up a good follow-up to its Game 2 victory as the Red Spikers stormed back into the game after dropping the first two sets.

“Hindi ko na iniisip yung winning streak namin. Sabi ng mga coaches, okay natalo tayo, hindi natin nakuha yung sweep hanggang Finals. Ang gusto ni coach Sammy (Acaylar) ay makuha namin ang championship this season,” said Ramirez.

Ramirez, who battled cramps late in the loss, has other plans in the decider, was determined to make amends in the no-tomorrow match.

“Sobrang saya ko kasi nakuha uli namin ang kampeonato,” Ramirez told broadcaster GTV.

“Ang dami naming pinag-usapan lalo na yung hindi namin nakuha ang championship noong araw na iyon. Nag-focus talaga kami sa mga pagkukulang namin. Pinanood namin kung saan kami mahina. Alam naming kayang-kaya namin iyon,” he added.

“This time nakumpleto namin yung gusto ng team.”

Following up his 32-point outing in Game 2, Ramirez had 23-of-48 spikes to finish with 24 points to go along with 21 receptions and 13 receptions.

KC Andrade matched Ramirez’s two blocks for a 12-point effort, Michael Medalla also scored 12 points, while Jeff Marapoc added 11 points for the Altas.

Ralph Cabalsa logged 12 points and 11 digs while Lorenz Calayag also had 12 points, including two blocks for the Red Spikers.