Lady Altas, Blazers duel in KO match

MANILA, Philippines - Perpetual Help and College of St. Benilde try to stay in the title hunt as they clash today at the start of the stepladder semifinals in the 91st NCAA women’s volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Lady Altas, who ended up No. 3 with a 7-2 record in the elims, and the Lady Blazers, who wound up with a 6-3 slate for No. 4, collide at 2 p.m. in a knockout duel for the right to play the Arellano U Lady Chiefs, the defending champions who settled for No. 2 with an 8-1 mark, in another sudden death on Thursday.

The winner will advance to the finals against San Sebastian, which swept the elims in nine games for its second straight finals appearance.

In men’s action, San Beda and Arellano U, which finished tied at No. 4 at 5-4, dispute the last Final Four spot at 2 p.m. today.

The winner will advance against reigning titlist Emilio Aguinaldo College or Perpetual Help, which meet in a playoff for the top seeding after finishing the elims with identical 8-1 marks,

In junior play, Perpetual and EAC also battle for the No. 1 seed while San Sebastian and Lyceum of the Phl U square off for the last semis berth.

The Junior Altas and the Brigadiers finished tied at 6-1 while the Staglets and the Junior Pirates wound up with identical 4-3 slates for No. 4.