Perpetual, Arellano clash in stepladder NCAA juniors volley semis

Games Friday (January 27)

(Filoiol Flying V Center)

10 a.m. - Perpetual Help vs Arellano U (juniors stepladder)

12 p.m. - St. Benilde vs Perpetual Help (men's playoff)

2 p.m. - St. Benilde vs San Beda (women's playoff)

MANILA, Philippines — Defending champion Perpetual Help tackles Arellano U in a knockout duel Friday for the right to play Emilio Aguinaldo in the second stepladder semis in the juniors division of the 92nd NCAA volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan City.

The Junior Altas finished third with a 5-2 (win-loss) record while the Juniors Chiefs ended up fourth with a 4-3 mark that forged an interesting showdown in the first stepladder semis game at 10 a.m.

The winner will move on to play Emilio Aguinaldo on Monday with the latter assured of a twice-to-beat advantage after it finished the elims at No. 2 with a 6-1 slate.

Lyceum of the Phl swept its way to the finals where it will enjoy a thrice-to-beat edge.

Perpetual Help coach Sandy Rieta said they will go all out for a victory.

"We will give it our best to get the win," said Reita, whose charges beat EAC in the finals last year to emerge juniors champions.

In women's play, reigning titlist St. Benilde and San Beda will play each other for the No. 3 seeding.

The 2 p.m. duel serves as a warm up to their no-tomorrow stepladder semis match on Monday.

San Sebastian swept its way to the finals and claim a thrice-to-beat edge for the second straight season while Arellano U wound up at No. 2 and is ensured of a twice-to-beat advantage in the second stepladder semis.

In the men's division, reigning titleholder Perpetual Help and St. Benilde, which ended up with identical 8-1 marks after the elims, face off at 12 p.m. for the No. 1 seed.

The winner tackles No. 4 Arellano U while the loser tangles with No. 3 San Beda in the Final Four on Monday.

Both the Altas and the Blazers have clinched the twice-to-beat incentive for finishing in the top two.