Denied the first time, there was no stopping them this time around.
The University of Perpetual Help System DALTA refused to let its season end, silencing Emilio Aguinaldo College, 25-12, 25-19, 25-18, in a do-or-die NCAA Season 101 women’s volleyball quarterfinals match on Wednesday at Strike Gymnasium in Bacoor, Cavite.
The top-seeded and twice-to-beat Lady ALTAs, stunned by the Lady Generals in the quarterfinal opener last Sunday to move to the brink of elimination, dominated from start to finish to enter the Final Four again after three years.
Perpetual now stands in the way of four-time defending champion De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde as they go head-to-head in a best-of-three semifinals starting this Sunday.
Jem Menor sizzled with a triple-double outing to lift Perpetual, posting 14 points, 12 digs, and 12 receptions while Cy Almeniana chipped in 14 markers as Perpetual made it to the Top 4 again since Season 98, where they finished second in the preliminary round but bowed to LPU in the stepladder.
Shai Omipon, one of the few remaining holdovers from that Season 98 squad, chipped in 10 points while middle blocker Cha Enrico put together 10 markers as well, including the game-winning kill.
EAC kept Perpetual within striking distance early on, but the vengeful Lady ALTAs went on a rampage by turning a slim 12-10 lead into a huge 21-10 cushion in Set 1 en route to a 25-12 win.
The Lady Generals dug deep in Set 2 with Mae Pasaol sparking from the bench and scoring back-to-back kills to pull EAC within three at 18-21. However, Pasaol’s own attack error allowed Perpetual to clinch a 24-19 lead while another miscue from EAC handed the Lady Altas a commanding 2-0 advantage.
Angel Joy Perez, the hero from Sunday alongside Ashley Toriado, attempted to breathe life back to EAC by unloading two straight kills as they continued to play catch-up, 10-13.
However, Menor lit it up in the endgame, sending Perpetual to a 13-7 lead with a down-the-line hammer before challenging the wall of Toriado to seize the match point at 24-19. Enrico then put the punctuation, punishing EAC with a powerful quick kill off a perfect pass from Fifi Ariola.
The Lady Altas’ win was highlighted by their ability to neutralize Perez and Toriado.
Perez, who torched Perpetual with 24 points last Sunday, was limited to just 12 points today while Toriado was held to just five markers after erupting for 16 markers in the opener.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
