University of Perpetual Help swept Mapua University, 26-24, 25-22, 25-18, to formally advance into the next round of the Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum on Saturday.
Given a tough challenge in the first two sets by a very determined Lady Cardinals, the Lady Altas bolted from a slim two-point lead early in the third frame with a 7-1 blast for a 16-8 lead.
It was enough separation for Perpetual to keep Mapua at bay before completing a bounce back victory to cap its Pool A campaign with a 3-1 win-loss record.
“We’re very happy we’re able to advance into the next round with the effort shown by the team,” Lady Altas head coach Sandy Rieta said.
Mary Rhose Dapol paced Perpetual, who came off a two-week break after a heartbreaking loss to University of the Philippines, with seven points coming off four attacks and three aces.
The Lady Cardinals slid to 1-2 card.
In the first game, San Sebastian College wrapped up its stint on a winning note after a quick work of Emilio Aguinaldo College, 25-13, 25-13, 25-21, in Pool B.
The Lady Stags staved off the comeback attempt of the Lady Generals late in the third set for their lone victory in four outings.
Christina Marasigan landed the finishing blows for San Sebastian from the service line, stringing back-to-back aces its last three points that quelled EAC’s uprising that trimmed its four-point third set deficit to just 22-21.
Kath Santos finished with 10 points anchored on nine kills while Marasigan posted three of her eight markers in the third frame for San Sebastian, which had its way in the first two frames.
“I have seen a lot of improvement from my players. At least my players, especially the rookies, were able to get valuable experience and exposure in this tournament,” Lady Stags coach Roger Gorayeb said.
The Lady Generals absorbed their second straight defeat.
Anne Formento finished with eight points while Rhoan Manlapaz and Krizza Reyes had seven markers each for EAC, which will march back into battle on Sunday against University of Santo Tomas.