Jr Altas, Chiefs clash in stepladder semis

MANILA, Philippines - Defending champion Perpetual Help and Arellano U clash in a knockout duel today for the right to play Emilio Aguinaldo College in the second stepladder semis in the juniors division of the 92nd NCAA volleyball tournament at the FilOil Flying V Center in San Juan.

The Junior Altas finished third with a 5-2 (win-loss) record while the Junior Chiefs ended up fourth with a 4-3 mark as they sealed a showdown in the first stepladder semis game at 10 a.m.

The winner will next play EAC on Monday with the latter enjoying a twice-to-beat edge after finishing the elims at No. 2 with a 6-1 slate.

Lyceum of the Phl swept its way to the finals for a huge thrice-to-beat advantage.

“We will give it our best to get the win,” said Perpetual Help coach Sandy Rieta, whose charges beat EAC in the finals last year.

In women’s play, reigning titlist St. Benilde and San Beda dispute the No. 3 seeding at 2 p.m.

The duel serves as a tune-up for their stepladder semis clash on Monday.

San Sebastian swept its way to the finals to claim the thrice-to-beat edge for the second straight season while Arellano U wound up at No. 2 for a twice-to-beat advantage in the second stepladder semis.

In men’s play, reigning title-holder Perpetual Help and St. Benilde, which ended up with identical 8-1 marks after the elims, face off at 12 noon for the top seeding.

The winner collides with No. 4 Arellano U while the loser tangles with No. 3 San Beda in the Final Four on Monday.

Both the Altas and the Blazers have clinched the twice-to-beat incentives for finishing in the top two.