Immaculada Concepcion College continued its impressive winning run to clinch the first outright semifinal berth in the PGFlex Linoleum-UCAL Season 9 Women’s Volleyball Tournament, held recently at the University of Batangas Millennium Gym in Batangas City.
Led by outside hitter Andrea Caparal, the ICC Lady Blue Hawks swept the Lyceum of the Philippines University Lady Pirates, 27-25, 25-20, 25-20, for their sixth straight win this season and 16th consecutive victory dating back to their title-sweeping campaign last year.
Caparal showcased the form that earned her the Season 8 Finals MVP honors, powering the Lady Blue Hawks with 24 points built on 21 attacks, two blocks, and an ace.
Vying for the other outright semifinal berth are the UB Lady Brahmans and the Philippine Christian University-Dasmarinas Lady Dolphins, who hold 5-1 and 4-2 records, respectively.
The Lady Brahmans defeated the Philippine Women’s University Lady Patriots, 25-15, 25-20, 22-25, 25-10. Then the Lady Dolphins outlasted the Olivarez College Lady Sea Lions, 23-25, 25-22, 25-14, 25-16.
PWU and Olivarez slipped to 3-3 and 1-5, respectively, in the standings of the tournament, which is backed by Smart, Puso.com, Hapee Toothpaste, Mighty Bond, Spalding, Maruyama, Gerry’s Grill, Crane, Vital Purified Water, and Akari.
Meanwhile, defending men’s champion UB Brahmans regained the solo lead after surviving the PCU-Dasmarinas Dolphins, 26-28, 25-22, 25-20, 12-25, 15-12, to strengthen their bid for an outright semifinal berth with a 5-1 record.
The Dolphins, meanwhile, fell into a tie for second-to-fourth place with the LPU-B Pirates and ICC Blue Hawks, all carrying identical 4-1 records.
