CEU BEATS SBU ANEW
Perpetual, Mapua win
The University of Perpetual Help boosted its own semis bid with a 25-23, 27-25, 25-14 over San Sebastian College in the NCAA Season 99 women’s volleyball tournament on Friday, April 26, at the Fil-oil Ecooil Center in San Juan City.
After getting a scare in the second set which was extended, the Lady Altas of coach Sandy Riera got their acts together and won the third set pulling away – thanks to reigningmvp Mary Rhose Dapol, Shaila Omipon, Bebang Ocado and team captain Razel Aldea,
With the win, Perpetual tied Mapua and Letran for third to fifth places at 4-2.
Earlier, Mapua overpowered Letran, 25-19, 25-22, 21-25, 2725. m
The Lady Altas have to win to win at least two of their three remaining games to advance to the next round. They will face Arellano on April 28, College of St. Benilde on May 1 and EAC on May 5.
The win was a fitting gift for Riera who celebrated his birthday.
Trece Martires City native Shaila Omipon was named the best player of the game with 16 points, while Dapol and Razel Aldea contributed 11 points each.
Jhasmine Sapin recorded 14 excellent sets while Denise Lozano had 8 digs and Marian Andal had 5.
The Lady Blazers currently lead the way with a 6-0 record while Lyceum is at second with an equally pristine 5-0 mark.
Defending champion Ecooil-la Salle pulled away in the second half for an 85-65 rout of Go Torakku-st. Clare and took a headstart in the 2024 PBA D-league Aspirants’ Cup semifinals on Thursday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
After a slow start, the unbeaten Green Archers went on 34-13 barrage in the third period to rip the game wide open and zero in for a third straight finals appearance.
But the spotlight fell on Centro Escolar University which repeated over Marinerong Pilipino-san Beda, 75-71, in the other semifinal.
The Green Archers and the Scorpions will advance to the finals with another victory in Game 2 of the best of three series on Tuesday also at the Pasig hoop house.
“Actually, ito ‘yung diniscuss namin sa pre-game. We have to respect St. Clare as they’re capable of playing that way. Even at halftime, ‘yun pa rin ang sinasabi ko,” said La Salle assistant coach Gian Nazario after the match.
“Without Jonnel Policarpio (stomach) and EJ Gollena (hamstring), we needed more players to step up and they did.”
Michael Phillips tallied 17 points and nine rebounds laced by six steals and two blocks to headline the Green Archers’ onslaught. Nigerian big man Henry Agunanne had 14 points, nine rebounds and two blocks while Joshua David and CJ Austria chipped in 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Daniel Marcelo waxed hot in the fourth quarter while Dylan Darbin and Jerome Santos provided the insurance free throws to save the day for the Scorpions, who nearly blew double-digit lead in the second half.