Games Tuesday:
(San Andres Sports Complex)
12 noon – Arellano vs EAC (Men)
2 p.m. – Arellano vs EAC (Women)

WOMEN’S champion College of Saint Benilde and men’s titleholder University of Perpetual Help System Dalta pulled off contrasting wins on Sunday at the San Andres Sports Complex, to complete a sweep of their respective NCAA volleyball elimination assignments and move on straight into the championship round.

The CSB Lady Blazers needed only 67 minutes to beat Jose Rizal University, 25-10, 25-21, 25-13, to reach the Finals for the second straight season, even as UPHS Dalta got stretched to the hilt before prevailing in five sets over Mapua for another shot at the title this season.

Consistent Gayle Pascual was again on her effective self, unloading an impressive 16-of-30 kills while Zamantha Nolasco had five blocks and three service aces to finish with 10 points for CSB.

Michelle Gamit also proved very useful behind the net as she scored 10 points on 9-of-16 attacks for Benilde, which has won 27 consecutive matches dating back from the 2020 season which was scrapped due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Last season’s MVP Mycah Go, who settled as one of coach Jerry Yee’s assistants this year after she was ruled out due to ACL injury, was oozing with praises for the Lady Blazers which achieve the first step towards winning another title.

“Masaya kasi siyempre next na trabaho namin iyon eh. Next na goal namin iyon. Siyempre, eliminations muna then Finals. Ayun, nakahinga na rin kami na umabot na rin kami sa Finals. Finals na lang iisipin namin and isang team na lang,” said Go.

3-peat-seeking Altas

The three-peat seeking Altas also had it so good, extending their remarkable winning streak to 31 matches.

Although it did come as planned as Perpetual had to overcome hard-fighting Mapua in five sets, 23-25, 23-25, 25-19, 25-17, 15-4, to secure a place in the Finals.

Louie Ramirez fired a career-high 31 points, including the match-clinching spike that completed the Altas’ fifth-set domination, eliminating the Cardinals in Final Four race. He logged three blocks and eight receptions.

Perpetual completed a double victory as its women’s team secured the No. 2 ranking in the semifinals with a 25-16, 25-19, 25-17 conquest of Mapua.

Mary Rhose Dapol and Shaila Omipon each scored 13 points, Janine Padua added 11 points while setter Jhasmine Sapin tossed in 12 excellent sets and matched Omipon’s two service aces for the Lady Altas.

Roxie dela Cruz logged eight points before sitting out in the third set for the Lady Cardinals.

Mapua ended up tied with Lyceum of the Philippines University in third and fourth spots at 6-3. The two Intramuros-based squads will face-off in the first stepladder match on Sunday, with the winner taking on Perpetual in another knockout duel for the remaining Finals berth on March 29.

The Lady Bombers ended their season with a 1-8, less than a year after a breakthrough third place finish.

Sydney Niegos led JRU with 10 points while Mary May Ruiz and Riza Rose contributed eight and seven points, respectively.

Joshua Zareno also had three blocks for a 20-point showing and rookie Jefferson Marapoc came through with 10 points and 12 digs for Perpetual.

Ben San Andres had 25 points and 22 receptions to lead Mapua, which ended the season at 5-4.