National University-Dasmarinas City flexed its dominance with a commanding 25-15, 25-15, 25-16 victory over the fourth-ranked Negros ICC Blue Hawks on Wednesday night at the Alonte Sports Arena in Laguna, moving one win away from a finals berth in the 2025 Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association.
The Monarchs hardly broke a sweat, needing just 80 minutes to extend their perfect campaign to 15 wins after sweeping the two-round eliminations.
Natasza Bombita led a balanced attack with 11 points, while Evangeline Alinsug and Celine Marsh added nine and eight points, respectively.
Eight other players contributed to the scoreboard as NU, under new mentor Regine Diego, showcased the depth behind super rookie Sam Cantada, Alexa Mata, and Minierva Maaya, each scoring seven points.
Meanwhile, in the other semifinal pairing, Biñan Tatak Gel claimed a thrilling five-set triumph, 17-25, 25-21, 15-25, 26-24, 15-13, over reigning champion and No. 2 seed Quezon Tangerines.
The Lady Chiefs clawed back from a 1-2 deficit in the final two sets to avenge last year’s MPVA finals loss.
Laika Tudlasan starred with 17 points, supported by Crisanta Servidad’s 13 and Keisha Abitria’s 11, as Biñan leveraged its home-court advantage.
Quezon’s top scorers — Zam Nolasco (16), Clydel Catarig (15), Camilla Bartolome (14), and Shekaina Lleses (12) — could not sustain their title defense, while Gelah Lopez added 10 points for Negros, who will look to force a sudden-death Game 3.
Both NU-Dasmarinas and Biñan will have a chance to seal their finals spots with another win in Game 2, continuing the best-of-three semifinals format for the MPVA crown.
