Lady Altas return to Final Four, oust Lady Blazers

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

University of Perpetual Help went through the wringer, surviving a desperate College of St. Benilde side, 27-25, 25-23, 11-25, 32-30, to complete the NCAA Season 93 women’s volleyball Final Four Tuesday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

The Lady Altas overcome an error-filled outing with Jowie Verzosa scoring back-to-back hits on opposite sides of the court that booked her team’s return trip to the semifinals after missing the cut last year.

“We really wanted to win. I told my players to treat this game as if it was our last and their willingness to win showed,” said Perpetual Help head coach Macky Cariño in Filipino.

“I’m just so happy right now because we really prepared hard for this season. We told ourselves before the season that we’re going to make the Final Four after missing it last season,” said Lourdes Clemente, who scored 15 points for the Lady Altas.

The Lady Blazers had numerous chances to force a fifth set but went on to blow seven set points, most of which off service errors as the pressure got the better of them.

The Final Four begins on Friday with No. 1 and defending champion Arellano University clashing with first-timer Jose Rizal University while the other matchup features No. 2 San Beda and No. 3 Perpetual Help.