Perpetual Help clinches NCAA semis slot, pulls plug on EAC’s bid

MANILA, Philippines — Defending champion Perpetual Help locked up another Final Four berth while also ending Emilio Aguinaldo College’s bid following a 25-21, 12-25, 25-15, 25-21 win Tuesday in the NCAA Season 89 women’s volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

National team mainstay Honey Royse Tubino scored on three consecutive kills in a key stretch in the fourth set that gave the Lady Altas a 21-16 buffer.

The Lady Generals moved to within a point, 20-21, with Charmille Belleza at the forefront of their rally but shot themselves on the foot with costly blunders to kiss their semis hopes goodbye.

“Our hardwork in training paid off although I saw that their play took a bit of a dip because they had to miss some practices due to their academic requirements,” said Perpetual Help coach Sammy Acaylar in Filipino after his team joined pacesetter Arellano University (7-1) — finishing the single-round elimination with a 7-2 mark.

Tubino showed the way for the Lady Altas, who chalked up their third straight semifinals appearance, with 24 points while Norie Diaz, the reigning MVP, registered 12 hits and 12 digs.

Meanwhile, Lyceum ended its campaign on a positive note after gutting out a 21-25, 25-10, 33-31, 25-21 victory over Mapua

Belleza tossed in 14 hits, including four service aces, while Donna Mae Factor added 10 markers, including five blocks for EAC.

The Lady Generals, who had breakthrough season last year after making the Final Four, closed out their campaign with a 5-4 card.

Dhiane Ibit had 20 hits while Jhemil Abadilla added 16 markers and 10 digs for the Lady Pirates, who wound up with a 3-6 card.

Alissa Magallanes tallied 13 points and nine digs for the Lady Cardinals only had one win to show against eight setbacks.