Games Wednesday:
(Filoil EcoOil Centre)
12 noon – Arellano vs San Beda (Men)
2 p.m. – Perpetual vs LPU (Women)

LYCEUM of the Philippines University bested Mapua in four sets, 25-18, 25-23, 29-31, 26-24, to inch closer to barging into the National Collegiate Athletic Association women’s volleyball Finals Sunday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

It was the first-ever Final Four win for the Lady Pirates who rode on Zonxi Dahab’s go-ahead kill and the match-clinching service ace in the final set.

The next assignment for LPU is the second-ranked University of Perpetual Help System Dalta in the second step-ladder match for the right to face unbeaten College of Saint Benilde in the Finals on Wednesday at the San Juan arena.

This is the first time that the Lady Pirates grabbed a Final Four stint since joining the league in 2011.

And, obviously, they wanted it more, further more than the Final Four round.

“Actually sobrang laking bagay sa amin kasi sabi nga, nagkaroon na kami ng way. Nabigyan kami ng way na we can…na kaya naming pumasok ng Final Four,” said coach Cromwel Garcia.

“I think ito na parang ang umpisa ng tuloy-tuloy na progress ng sports development sa amin. Malaking bagay talaga especially sa buong LPU community kasi these girls, na nagpakahirap na nandito na sa biggest stage,” the second-year mentor added.

Joan Doguna led the Lady Pirates with 22 points while Johna Dolorito chipped in 14 points, 11 receptions and nine digs.

Dahab had four blocks and three service aces while Jaja Tulang was the other LPU player in double digits with 10 points.

Rookie Roxie dela Cruz had 20 points and 13 digs while Tere Manalo contributed 15 points for the Lady Cardinals.

Earlier, Ralph Cabalsa sent San Beda to the next round of the men’s stepladder semis following a 25-22, 25-27, 25-16, 26-24 win over Emilio Aguinaldo College.

Cabalsa had 24 points, including four blocks, while Kenrod Umali added 13 points and 14 receptions for the Red Spikers.

San Beda will face No. 2 Arellano University on Wednesday, with the winner taking on three-peat-seeking Perpetual in the best-of-three title series.

Joshua Ramilo paced the Generals with 13 points and 14 receptions while Marvin Romero added 11 points.