Standings W L

*Benilde 8 0
*Perpetual 7 1
Mapua 6 2
LPU 6 3
Arellano 4 3
Letran 4 4
SSC-R 2 6
EAC 1 7
San Beda 1 7
JRU 1 7

*Final Four

Games Saturday:
(San Andres Sports Complex)
8:30 a.m. – Arellano vs Letran (Men)
12 noon – Arellano vs Letran (Women)
2 p.m. – SSC-R vs San Beda (Women)
4:30 p.m. – SSC-R vs San Beda (Men)

UNIVERSITY of Perpetual Help System Dalta secured a Final Four stint in the NCAA women’s volleyball tournament anew following a one-season absence via an impressive 25-21, 25-13, 25-22 win over Lyceum of the Philippines University Friday at the San Andres Sports Complex.

Rookie Shai Umipon shone anew for UPHS Dalta with 22 points, and six digs even as Mary Rhose Dapol chipped in 19 points, including two service aces, for the Lady Altas.

Setter Jhasmine Sapin had 19 excellent sets while Marian Andal also sparkled for Perpetual with 21 digs and seven receptions for the Lady Altas.

Equally impressive was their men’s counterpart who needed but 61 minutes to dispose of LPU, 25-13, 25-14, 25-16, and inch closer to the outright Finals berth.

Homegrown talent Joshua Zareño led the way for the Altas with 13 points, including two blocks, while team captain Louie Ramirez also contributed 13 points, including two service aces. Cebuano setter Jc Enarciso tossed in 18 excellent sets, while libero John Philip Pepito collected seven digs and six receptions.

Now at 8-0 and has won 30 consecutive wins since 2018, Perpetual needs to win its last elimination round match against Mapua tomorrow to reach the best-of-three Finals.

With a 7-1 record, Perpetual’s twice-to-beat destiny will have to wait, as defending champion College of Saint Benilde is just a win away from jumping straight to the championship round to make the Final Four a stepladder format.

Later, Riza Rose had 22 points as Jose Rizal University overcame Krizzia Reyes’ 30-point outing to outlast Emilio Aguinaldo College, 25-19, 21-25, 17-25, 25-19, 15-5, and enter the win column after seven straight defeats.

With their third loss in nine matches, the Lady Pirates’ breakthrough Final Four berth will depend on the last three playdates.

LPU will turn to the results of the remaining elimination matches by Arellano University (4-3) and Mapua (6-2).

Joan Doguna was the Lady Pirates’ bright spot with 12 points.