The proud women’s volleyball program of the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA returns to the Final Four.
The Lady Altas overcame an error-marred outing to upend rivals College of Saint Benilde Lady Blazers in four sets, 27-25, 25-23, 11-25, 32-30, and clinched their semifinals comeback, Tuesday afternoon at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Cindy Imbo paced the Altas at 16 points, 14 coming from attacks and two aces. Middle hitter Lourdes Clemente finished with 15 markers, six of them coming from blocks.
It was a dominant third set for the Blazers, who fought for dear life and had six opportunities to extend the match, but it was Perpetual’s better execution — capped by back-to-back hits from Jowie Verzosa — that sealed the win for the ladies from Las Piñas.
For Altas head coach Macky Cariño, the team is determined to really get the victory. “Gustong-gusto talaga namin manalo,” he said. “Yung CSB game namin magde-determine kung sino papasok sa Final Four.”
The mentor also commented on what transpired in the third set. “Nung third set, sobrang nag-collapse. May ganun talaga kaming set. Kaya yung ginagawa ko ‘pag ganun, nagbabalasa ko ng tao at titignan ko kung sino mag-i-step up sa ‘min,” he shared.
Senior Clemente was elated that they were able to achieve their goal this season. The center attacker said, “Pinaghandaan talaga namin ‘yung season na ‘to. Gusto naming mabalik ‘yung nawala sa ‘min before. Gusto namin na bago kami mawala sa Perpetual, may iwan kaming legacy.”
Diane Ventura led the Blazers with 14 points, while Ranya Musa ended her NCAA stint wit 13 markers.
Saint Benilde, at the 5-4, miss the last four for the first time in five years.
The Lady Altas (7-2) have locked the third seed and will face the twice-to-beat San Beda (8-1) in the semifinals on Friday. Consequently, JRU (6-3) take on the defending champions Arellano University (8-1) in the Final Four.
The Scores:
UPHSD 3 – Imbo 16, Clemente 15, Verzosa 6, Sangalang 5, Tripoli 4, Gual 4, Umandal 4, Rosal 1, Estanislao 0, Oliva 0, Medalla L, Coching L.
CSB 1 – Ventura 14, Musa 13, Abriam 9, Daguil 6, Cardiente 4, Pablo 0, Enginco 0, Dolorito 0, Cui 0, Torres L, Lim L.
