The University of Perpetual Help System – Dalta Lady Altas negotiated a momentary hold on a Final Four slot and the College of Saint Benilde Lady Blazers found their dominant form again in the NCAA Women’s Volleyball tournament earlier today at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Stuck in a tight three-way race for a slot in the postseason, the Lady Altas got much needed separation, upending the Lyceum of the Philippines University Lady Pirates in five sets 18-25, 25-20, 25-15, 14-25, 15-11.
Momentum swung wildly throughout the match, with one team building a huge early lead and refusing to let the other catch up. The Lady Altas managed to take a 2-1 sets lead but squandered the fourth frame, setting up do-or-die fifth set.
Sammy Acaylar’s team took the reins of the final frame, vaulting ahead 8-0 and getting first crack at match point at 14-8. The Lady Pirates mounted a late comeback but their own attack error sealed Perpetual’s victory.
Four ladies managed double-digit outputs from the Las Piñas-based squad. Cindy Imbo provided 14 points while Lourdes Clemente, Ana Diocareza, and Jamela Suyat each contributed 11 markers.
Mickaela Andres led the Lady Pirates with 15 points, Cherilyn Sindayen added 13, while Czarina Orros managed 11 markers.
The Lady Altas took hold momentarily of the last Top Four spot with a 4-2 record while the Lady Pirates drop to fifth at 4-3.
After two disappointing outings, the CSB Lady Blazers rebounded with a straight-set victory over the Mapua Institute of Technology Cardinals 25-10, 26-24, 25-20.
Suffering a loss to the Lady Altas and with the cellar-dwelling SBC Lady Red Lions dragging them to five sets, the Lady Blazers made a statement against the Lady Cardinals.
After taking the first set handily, CSB shrugged off their complacency just in time to take the second set. The Taft-based ladies then built an early double-digit lead in the third set to ground the Lady Cardinals. CSB out-blocked their foes from Intramuros, 11-3, and surrendered just 24 errors to MIT’s 31.
Middle blocker, Jeanette Panaga powered the Lady Blazers with 12 points while athletic open hitter Janine Navarro managed 10 markers.
Angelica Guardian paced the MIt offense with seven points while Shaira Hermano and Hazel Sedeno each contributed five markers.
CSB is still within striking distance of a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four with a 5-1 record heading into the holiday break. MIT, on the other hand, is yet to win a match in seven matches.
