MANILA – University of Perpetual Help System Lady Altas completed the semifinals casts of the V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge after a 16-25, 25-18, 25-18, 39-37 victory over the Mapua University Lady Cardinals on Sunday at Paco Arena in Manila.
Shaira Omipon finished with 25 points, including 21 attacks, as the Lady Altas improved to 4-2 to join the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, the University of the East Lady Warriors, and the College of St. Benilde Lady Blazers in the semis.
Charmaine Ocado came through with 13 markers, and Razel Aldea added 10 points for the Lady Altas, which clinched the pivotal victory against the Lady Cardinals in almost two hours.
“Masaya na maganda ‘yung performance nila sa last three sets. Nung first set, hindi ko alam ang nangyari. Maganda ‘yung adjustment in-game sinunod naman nila, pati adjustments mismo sa sarili nila,” said Lady Altas coach Sandy Rieta.
Roxie Dela Cruz paced the Lady Cardinals with 16 markers, but it was not enough as they dropped to a 1-4 win-loss slate, in the process eliminating them from semifinals contention.
In the first game, College of Saint Benilde Lady Blazers battled back from a set down to defeat the erstwhile unbeaten University of the East Lady Warriors, 23-25, 25-22, 29-27, 25-18.
Gayle Pascual top-scored with 23 points, including clutch conversions in the third set, while Jade Gentapa backed her up with 20 points as the Lady Blazers bounced back from their first defeat for a 4-1 win-loss slate.
Lady Blazers assistant coach Jay Chua said they only prepared the players mentally after suffering their first defeat last Friday against Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, 25-23, 19-25, 25-16, 25-22.
“We prepared more on the mental side. Kundisyon naman ‘yung katawan nila eh, so ‘yung mindset talaga,” Chua said in a post-game interview.
Caseiy Dongallo finished with 32 points and eight digs, and Khy Cepeda added 15 markers for the Lady Warriors, which dropped to a 5-1 win-loss record./PN
