By Jerome Lagunzad
San Beda dodged Emilio Aguinaldo College’s upset bid, 18-25, 25-16, 25-22, 25-14, yesterday to clinch the remaining twice-to-beat incentive in the NCAA women’s volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.
Maria Nieza fired 22 points and teamed up with Cesca Racracquin in spearheading the Lady Red Spikers’ big response from a sluggish start for their eighth victory in nine matches, tying defending champion Arellano in the process.
The Lady Chiefs, however, earned the top spot going to the semifinal round by virtue of their straight-sets victory over the Lady Red Spikers last week.
Earlier, Perpetual Help defeated also-ran Letran, 19-25, 25-20, 25-23, 25-10, to boost its Final Four drive.
Cindy Imbo led their torrid attack with 18 points, 16 of them off kills, while Bianca Tripoli added 17 points as the Lady Altas dominated the Lady Knights in the last three sets on the way to their sixth win in eight matches, good for solo third.
Perpetual Help can formally clinch its place in the semifinals by taking care of its business against St. Benilde, another team in the running with a 5-3 mark, in what promises to be an intense showdown on Tuesday.
Marie Simborio and Glayssa Torres tallied 12 points each for the Lady Knights, who finished seventh overall with a 3-6 record.
Jaylene Lumbo had 13 points while Ladeisheen Magbanua added 11 points that all went down the drain as the Lady Generals closed out their campaign with a 2-7 card.
In men’s play, the Altas proved too much for the Knights, 25-20, 25-19, 25-22, and inched closer towards earning an outright finals berth.