University of Perpetual Help System Dalta tries to show its win over College of St. Benilde in their first Final Four duel was no fluke as the two collide today one last time for a finals berth in the 94th NCAA women’s volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Against all odds, the fourth-seeded Lady Altas summoned their last remaining strength and brought down the top-ranked Lady Blazers, 25-23, 25-21, 20-25, 25-23, last week to force a deciding game scheduled at 4 p.m.
Cindy Imbo came through when it mattered most and fired a game-high 19 hits she laced with 16 spikes, while Jenny Gaviola and Jhona Rosal also played instrumental by chipping in 15 and 11 points, respectively.
They would have to replicate their performances for the Lady Altas to have a chance of beating the Lady Blazers again and grabbing their first finals appearance since reaching it five years ago and eventually won it all.
The winner of the knockout showdown moves on the best-of-three finale against defending champion Arellano University, who turned back last year’s losing finalist San Beda, 25-18, 25-21, 25-23, a week ago to snare the first finals berth.
Emilio Aguinaldo College, for its part, faces off with second seed College of St. Benilde at 2 p.m. for the right to tackle UPHSD, the reigning titlist which swept its way straight to the finals, in the finals starting Feb. 1.
The Generals stayed alive after shocking the Chiefs, last year’s finalists, in a come-from-behind 24-26, 8-25, 25-20, 25-18, 21-19 win.
