Lyceum, Perpetual figure in crucial NCAA volleyball tiff

Games Friday (January 13)

(Filoil Flying V Center)

8:30 a.m. - EAC vs MIT (Jrs)

10 a.m. - EAC vs MIT (M)

11:30 a.m. - LPU vs UPHSD (W)

1 p.m. - LPU vs UPHSD (M)

2:30 p.m. - LPU vs UPHSD (Jrs)

MANILA, Philippines — Lyceum of the Philippines seeks to close in on a Final Four berth while Perpetual Help fights for dear life as the two collide in the women's division of the 92nd NCAA volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan City on Friday.

The Lady Pirates are currently at No. 3 with a 5-1 (win-loss) record and a victory over the Lady Altas in their 11:30 a.m. showdown will send it at joint second with the Arellano U Lady Chiefs and one win closer to joining the unbeaten San Sebastian Lady Stags in the Final Four.

"It will be crucial for us because a win will send us closer to achieving our goal, which is to make the Final Four," said LPU coach Emil Lontoc in Filipino.

The Las Pinas-based school fell to San Sebastian, 22-25, 13-25, 13-25, Wednesday for their third setback against the same number of wins.

Another defeat will send the Sammy Acaylar-mentored Lady Altas to elimination.

"It will be do-or-die for us from here," said Acaylar, who was recently appointed national men's team coach by the Larong Volleyball ng Pilipinas, Inc. 

In a non-bearing game, Emilio Aguinaldo and Mapua face off at 10 a.m.

In men's play, defending champion Perpetual Help (4-1) aims to keep its stranglehold of second spot as it clashes with LPU (3-3) at 1 p.m. while Mapua (4-3) looks to stay in the hunt as it tackles an already ran EAC (0-7).

In the juniors' division, LPU (4-0) eyes to stay unscathed as it duels reigning titlist Perpetual Help (4-1) at 2:30 p.m.