Mary Rhose Dapol and Shai Omipon took turns to lead University of Perpetual Help System DALTA past Lyceum of the Philippines University, 25-21, 25-13, 25-22, in the NCAA Season 98 women’s volleyball tournament on Friday.
Perpetual improved to 7-1 to join league-leading De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in the Final Four while Lyceum dropped to 6-3.
Up by two sets to none, the Lady ALTAs suddenly found themselves in a tight affair with the Lady Pirates in the third set.
Joan Doguna and Johna Dolorito shone for Lyceum, who took an 11-10 lead before Omipon notched three straight points to give Perpetual the lead back at 14-13 and tie things up at 15-all.
A quick 4-1 run fueled by Dapol then saw Perpetual’s lead ballooned to three, 19-16, as another long attack from her sent the Lady ALTAs to a crucial 22-18 cushion.
Lyceum tried to come back anew, racing to a 23-22 deficit before Omipon soared from the open side for the match point, 24-22. Then it was also Omipon who delivered the winning point from the same angle.
Omipon shone with 22 points alongside six digs while Dapol finished with 19 markers.
Perpetual will look to end the elimination round on a high on Sunday against Mapua University while Lyceum will now depend on the results of other games in order to enter the Final Four.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
