Lady Altas get back at Lady Generals to catch NCAA semis bus

MANILA, Philippines — University of Perpetual Help didn’t leave anything to chance as it pulverized Emilio Aguinaldo College, 25-12, 25-19, 25-18, on Wednesday and caught the last bus to the NCAA Season 101 women’s volleyball semifinals at the Filoil Arena.

UPHSD thus set up a best-of-three semis series with five-peat-seeking St. Benilde unfurling Sunday at the same Manila venue.

The other semis pairing pitted Letran with Mapua.

Game 2 is scheduled Wednesday while a decider, if necessary, is set March 28.

The Lady Altas were caught flat footed by the Emilio Aguinaldo Lady Generals in a shock 25-18, 19-25, 27-25, 25-22 loss in the first quarterfinal duel Sunday that forced this deciding showdown.

But the Las Piñas-based school made sure there was no upset this time in pulling off this one-sided result.

“We told each other that whatever happens, we will not give this game away because our sacrifices and hard work will go to waste if we lose,” said UPHSD setter Fianne Ariola, who had 26 excellent sets.

Under Ariola’s magnificent baton, the Lady Altas were like an orchestra where Cyrille Joie Almeniana and Jemalyn Menor each hummed their way to a 14-point performance.