The National University-backed Dasmariñas notched its second straight victory to seize the league leadership, while reigning champion Quezon and debuting San Juan also triumphed against separate foes in Week 2 of the 2025 Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association held over the weekend at the Arellano Gym in Manila.
Riding the momentum of their big opening-day win over the Tangerines, the Monarchs made quick work of Pasay, 25-13, 26-24, 25-20, to improve to 2-0 in the eight-team tournament founded by former Senator Manny Pacquiao, who also established the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.
Vange Alinsug led Dasma with 12 points, while Alexa Mata and Myrtle Escanlar chipped in nine apiece.
The powerhouse squad from the UAAP needed just 81 minutes to complete the sweep.
This came after their straight-sets conquest of Quezon, 25-22, 25-23, 25-23, in last week’s opener, establishing the Monarchs as the early title favorites in the league’s third staging which is backed by Mikasa, Asics, Spurway Enterprise, Gerflor, Smart Communications, and XIV Apparel, with the Volleyball Masters of the Philippines as organizer.
Pasay dropped to 1-1, unable to sustain the momentum of its five-set victory over the Negros ICC Blue Hawks.
Euricka Eslapor and Florize Ann Papa scored 14 and 10 points, respectively, in the loss.
Meanwhile, the Tangerines rebounded from their opening-day stumble as Camilla Amor Bartolome erupted for 19 points in Quezon’s commanding 25-12, 25-14, 25-21 victory over the Caloocan AM Spikers.
Yesha Rojo and Fionna Inocentes added nine points each for the defending champions, who are backed by four-peat NCAA titlists College of St. Benilde Lady Blazers.
Souzan Raslan paced Caloocan with nine points in a tough debut.
San Juan also opened its campaign on a high note, sweeping the Marikina Lady Shoemasters, 25-17, 25-20, 25-16.
Kaycee Balingit and Chamberlaine Cunada scored 12 and 10 points, respectively, while Brigitte Martinez finished with eight for Marikina.
Action resumes next Monday at the Alonte Gym in Biñan, Laguna, with the host squad facing unbeaten Dasma in the main game of a double-header, preceded by the clash between San Juan and Pasay.
