Perpetual Help nears Final Four, extends Mapua’s slide

University of Perpetual Help steamrolled Mapua, 25-18, 25-23, 25-12, to move closer to a Final Four berth in the NCAA Season 93 women’s volleyball tournament Tuesday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Maria Aurora Tripoli, Maria Lourdes Clemente and Jowie Versoza scored 11 points each for the Lady Altas, who upped their mark to 5-2 and stay in third place behind defending champion Arellano University and second-running San Beda. After the Lady Cardinals put up a gallant stand in the second set, the Lady Altas left nothing to chance and went for the kill in the third set. Perpetual Help, which bounced back after dropping a five-setter to Arellano last week, is primed to make a return trip to the semifinals after falling short last season. Dianne Latayan had 10 points and was the lone bright spot for Mapua, which reeled to its 17th consecutive defeat dating back to Season 92.