The Lady Pirates assured themselves of at least a playoff for the last semis slot in the double-round semis with a tough 28-26, 14-25, 25-18, 25-14 victory over the Philippine Christian University Lady Dolphins Saturday for third win against the same number of losses.
A win over the Ateneo Lady Eagles, out of semis race with a 1-5 (win-loss) slate, in their 4 p.m. encounter will automatically seal the Intramuros-based spikers’ stint in the next round starting on June 3 at the same venue with ringside tickets pegged at P50 and upper box P30.
Three-peat seeking and UAAP champion De La Salle (6-0), Adamson (5-1), Far Eastern U (4-3) and reigning NCAA titlist San Sebastian College (4-3) booked the first four semis seats in this event presented by Shakey’s Pizza.
A loss by Lyceum will pave the way for a knockout match for the last berth with Philippine Christian U, runner-up in the NCAA last season, which closed out its elims stint with a 3-4 mark. The sudden death is set on May 29 also at the Blue Eagle gym.
However, Lyceum coach Emil Lontoc doesn’t want to take any chances.
"We’re definitely going for the win against Ateneo," said Lontoc, who steered the country to its last women’s volleyball gold medal in the Southeast Asian Games in the 1993 edition, in Filipino.
Meanwhile, pacesetters La Salle and Adamson face off at 6 p.m. in what could be a preview of the championship in this event organized by Sports Vision and backed by Accel, Mikasa, ABC-5 and ABC Sports.
Bannered by a Thai import and an experienced crew headed by two-time UAAP MVP Desiree Hernandez, the Lady Archers gun for a sweep of the elims against the second running Lady Falcons who will be bannered by power-hitting Cherry Rose Macatangay.
"This is going to be an interesting game," said Adamson mentor Dulce Pante, whose only loss came at the hands of the Lady Tams.