Fancied Dasma Monarchs and Quezon Tangerines extended their hot streaks as the Biñan Tatak Gel Arellano Lady Chiefs clinched a semifinal ticket in the 2025 Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association (MPVA) on Sunday night at the Dasmariñas Arena.
Already qualified for the semifinals, the Monarchs drubbed the Negros ICC Blue Hawks, 25-19, 14-25, 25-18, 25-18, to stretch their unbeaten run to 11 games and stay on course to No. 1 seed finish.
Reigning champion Quezon, for its part, swept the Pasay Lady Voyagers, 25-19, 25-18, 25-21, for its 11th straight win to climb to 11-1 within striking distance of the top spot while the Biñan smothered the Marikina Lady Shoemasters, 25-16, 25-22, 25-22, to seal a semis ticket.
Biñan, at 8-3, benefitted from Pasay’s seventh loss at 5-7, securing a sure entry as it could end up with as many as six losses in the upstart regional volleyball league founded by MPBL chairman Manny Pacquiao.
The entry of Dasma, Quezon, and Biñan leaves only one ticket left up for grabs in the eight-team tourney among hopefuls Pasay, Negros (4-6), and San Juan (4-7).
Celine Marsh and Sam Cantada connived with 15 and 14 points, respectively, for the new but already heavy favorite team in Dasma backed by three-time UAAP champion National U Lady Bulldogs.
Dasma-NU just came off a four-peat conquest in the Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Preseason Unity Cup over the weekend and picked up from where they left off even without the services of team captain Vange Alinsug, who took a dayoff.
Jenelyn Jacob, Joseline Salazar and Best Setter Lams Lamina chipped in six points each while Rashel Bajamonde and Myrtle Escanlar added five points apiece for the Monarchs under the guidance of new coach Regine Diego.
For Quezon, Clydel Catarig and Shekaina Lleses joined hands with 11 and 10 points, respectively, to extend its hot run after an opening day loss to Dasma.
Zam Nolasco and Shahanna Lleses added nine and eight points, respectively, for the Tangerines, backed by four-peat NCAA champion College of St. Benilde Lady Blazers, to brace for their rematch against the Monarchs to end the elims next week.
Crisanta Servidad and Desaela Gae Segovia scored 10 and seven points, respectively, to lead the way for Biñan, which finished runner-up to Quezon last season in the MPVA backed by Mikasa, Asics, Spurway Enterprise, Gerflor, Smart Communications, and XIV Apparel.
Andrea Caparal led Negros with 16 points, Florize Anne Papa had 11 for Pasay, while the regional tourney organized by the Volleyball Masters of the Philippines was a close race to the Final Four.
Liam Lenguaje tallied 11 points for the also-ran Marikina, which slipped deeper down the cellar at 1-11.
