The Lady Altas needed two hours to seal the match at 16-25, 25-18, 25-18, 39-37, improving their record to 4-2. They will advance to the semifinals along with their final preliminary phase opponents, College of Saint Benilde (4-1).
Mapua threatened to force a decider with several set points in the fourth set, but Shaila Omipon took over and, with the help of captain Razel Aldea from the service line, secured the victory.
"Masaya na maganda 'yung performance nila sa last three sets. Nung first set, hindi ko alam ang nangyari. Maganda 'yung adjustment in-game sinunod naman nila, pati adjustments mismo sa sarili nila," said head coach Sandy Rieta.
Omipon ended with 25 points, including three of her 21 kills in the clutch, which kept the Lady Altas in front, especially in that brutally long 44-minute fourth set. The outside hitter also contributed two blocks and two service aces. Charmaine Ocado chipped in with 13 points, while Aldea added 10.
Roxie Dela Cruz led the charge for the Lady Cardinals with 16 markers, but it was not enough to keep their semifinal hopes alive. Mapua, instead, slipped to 1-4 and out of contention.
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