By Waylon Galvez

Standings W L

*CSB 7 0

Arellano 6 1

Perpetual 6 2

San Beda 5 2

Letran 3 3

LPU 3 4

JRU 3 5

SSC-R 1 6

Mapua 1 6

EAC 1 7

*Semifinalist

Games Tuesday (The Arena, San Juan)

10 a.m. – SSC-R vs Lyceum (Men’s)

12 noon – SSC-R vs Lyceum (Women’s)

2 p.m. – San Beda vs Mapua (Women’s)

3:30 p.m. – San Beda vs Mapua (Men’s)

University of Perpetual Help System DALTA rebounded from an opening set loss to beat Emilio Aguinaldo College 20-25, 25-17, 25-21, 25-17 Monday, earning at least a playoff berth in NCAA Season 95 volleyball at The Arena in San Juan City.

(NCAA Images)

(NCAA Images)

Jhona Rosal led the Lady Altas with 17 points, with two service aces, while Dana Persa came off the bench to add 11 points, 12 digs and six receptions.

With its sixth win in eight games, Perpetual Help solidified its grip of the No. 3 spot behind College of St. Benilde (7-0) and defending three-time champion Arellano University (6-1).

Perpetual can formalize its entry to the semifinals if it beats Letran on Thursday.

The format in the next round remains uncertain with the CSB Lady Blazers on track for a sweep. Their remaining two games – against Mapua on Friday and Arellano on Monday – will determine the playoff scenario.

A sweep by the Lady Blazers will give them an outright finals berth with the stepladder playoffs to determine their opponent. A CSB loss to Arellano will give way to the traditional Final Four format, with a crossover semis deciding the finalists. The top two teams in the semis will hold twice-to-beat advantages.

Perpetual Help coach Macky Cariño said that regardless of the format, they are ready to play in the playoffs.

“Kami naman ready lang kami, kung stepladder ba siya or crossover semifinals. Hindi na din namin din kasi hawak or kontrolado e. Basta ang focus namin kung paano kami magpe-perform ng maganda pag dumating na sa knockout stage ng tournament,” Macky Cariño.

“Kaya nga kahit na lousy ang performance namin, medyo erratic, nanalo pa rin kami. Pandagdag ng morale, yun ang nawala against San Beda.”

EAC, which earned its first win last week with a 21-25, 25-23, 22-25, 25-18, 15-8 win over San Sebastian, failed to sustain its first set loss and dropped the next three against a seasoned Perpetual Help squad.

The Lady Generals fell to 1-7.

Meanwhile, Louie Ramirez scored 17 points, including two service aces, as defending two-time men’s titlist Perpetual Help improved to 8-0 to move within a win of claiming an outright Finals berth with a 25-23, 29-27, 28-26 conquest of EAC.

Source: Manila Bulletin