After four quarterfinals matches yesterday at the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta (UPHSD) Gym in Las Piñas City, three teams have already made it to the semifinals and are one step closer to claiming the title. Top seed Negros Blue Hawks, second-ranked Rizal Xentromall Golden Coolers, and third seed Bacoor City Strikers Metro Land Builders Corp all punched their tickets to the semifinals after taking care of business and defeating their respective quarterfinals opponents.
One semis spot, however, remains up for grabs after fifth-ranked Marikina Lady Shoemasters stayed alive and defeated fourth seed Nasipit Avantrac Lady Spikers Agusan Del Norte in five thrilling sets, 27-25, 25-23, 21-25, 21-25, 15-12. Marikina started strong against Nasipit, taking the first two sets, but the Agusan-based spikers recovered and won the next two sets to force a deciding fifth set, before the Lady Shoemasters recovered and took Set 5, 15-12.
Justine Rebleza led Marikina with 21 points on 21 attacks and was named as the Queen of the Court, Sydney Niegos added 13 points off 9 attacks, 3 blocks, and 1 ace, while Mary Joy Onofre chipped in with 10 points. With the win, Marikina forces a rubber match against Nasipit on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. for the final semifinal spot and the right to face top seed Negros.
In the second match, second seed Rizal Xentromall Golden Coolers became the first team to the semifinals after handling seventh-ranked Biñan Tatakgel – I Am Worldwide in straight sets, 25-22, 25-19, 25-16. Johna Dolorito led four Rizal players in double figures, firing 12 points built on 10 attacks and 2 aces to earn Queen of the Court honors. Joan Doguna and Janeth Tulang both contributed 11 points, while Stacey Lopez chipped in with 10 points of her own.
With their win over Biñan, Rizal arranged a best-of-three semifinals clash against third seed Bacoor City Strikers Metro Land Builders Corp, who also took care of business and defeated sixth-ranked Caloocan Am Spikers in their quarterfinals clash, 25-15, 25-22, 20-25, 25-14. After suffering an injury last week, reigning NCAA MVP Mary Rhose Dapol made her return for Bacoor, but it was her teammates Shaila Omipon and Charmaine Ocado who did damage for the Strikers.
Omipon fired 15 points off 13 attacks and 2 service aces to win Queen of the Court honors, while Ocado also scored 15 points on 14 attacks and 1 service ace, with team captain Razel Aldea chipping in with 12 points built on 6 attacks, 5 blocks, and 1 service ace. The win snapped a two-game slump for Bacoor, while arranging an exciting semifinals clash with the Golden Coolers.
The final match of the day saw the league-leaders Negros Blue Hawks dispatch eighth seed San Juan Lady Knights Go For Gold in straight sets, 25-22, 25-20, 25-22, for their ninth straight win of the tournament. Angel Habacon fired 15 points off 15 attacks for the Blue Hawks, while Christine Apan added 10 points off 5 attacks, 3 blocks, and 2 service aces. Libero Angeliz Cate Cosme, meanwhile, finished with 18 excellent digs and 8 excellent receptions and was named as the Queen of the Court.
Negros will wait for the winner of the Nasipit-Marikina rubber match as their opponent in the semifinals, which starts on Thursday, December 7.
For more updates on the Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association’s matches, scores, and schedules, follow Plus Network or the MPVA’s official Facebook page.
