By Kris Satumbaga
University of Perpetual Help System Dalta recoiled from a brink of defeat to score a pulsating 25-17, 27-29, 19-25, 26-24, 16-14 victory over College of St. Benilde in their rubber match and forge a title clash with Arellano U in the 94th NCAA women’s volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.
Cindy Imbo came through with two decisive hits in the fifth set as the fourth-seeded Lady Altas completed their remarkable semis feat.
They forced a knockout match by beating the Lady Blazers, 25-23, 25-21, 2-25, 25-23, a week ago.
UPHSD took the opening set but played bad and looked headed to defeat after dropping the next two sets and fell behind by a wide margin in the fourth, 22-11.
But the Las Pinas-based spikers didn’t give up – thanks to the inspired plays of Imbo.
UPHSD will have three teams in the finals after its men’s and junior teams booked spots in the finals via similar 9-game sweeps.
It will play CSB, which bested Emilio Aguinaldo College, 25-18, 25-23, 25-20, in the men’s finale and Letran, which grounded Lyceum of the Philippines University, 30-28, 25-21, 25-20, earlier, in the juniors’ side.
The series opener is scheduled on Friday while Game Two on Feb. 8.
A deciding Game Three, if necessary, is slated on Feb. 12.
