As expected, Dasma Monarchs cruised to a 25-13, 25-17, 25-21 win over the Pasay Lady Voyagers to clinch an early Final Four ticket in the resumption of 2025 Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association (MPVA) after a week-long break on Tuesday night at the Marikina Sports Complex.
The Monarchs needed only 82 minutes of play to score their 10th straight win in as many games for the first playoff ticket in the eight-team upstart regional league founded by also MPBL chairman Manny Pacquiao.
In other games, Binan Tatak Gel Arellano Lady Chiefs (6-3) kept the Caloocan AM Spikers (0-9), 21-25, 25-13, 25-20, 25-22, while the San Juan Lady Knights (4-6) drubbed the Marikina Lady Shoemasters (1-9), 25-17, 25-14, 25-15.
Dasma, with still four games to go in the two-round eliminations, also shored up its bid for Top-Two finish that will come with a twice-to-beat incentive as the immediate team to beat in its debut season.
No player finished in double figures in a scattered attack of the Monarchs led by Vange Alinsug, Josephine Patriz Salazar and Alexa Nichole Mata with nine points each.
Celine Elizabeth Marsh and Minierva Maaya added eight and seven points, respectively, for the powerhouse Dasma backed by two-time UAAP and three-time SSL champion National U Lady Bulldogs out to extend their dynasty to another league.
Pasay slid to 5-5 despite the 10 points of May Ann Pantino-Deflem entering the crucial stretch of the MPVA backed by Mikasa, Asics, Spurway Enterprise, Gerflor, Smart Communications and XIV Apparel.
Laika Tudlasan and Heart Villaflores scored 18 and 16 points, respectively, while Fhaye Mangubat and Crisanta Servidad had nine points each for Binan.
Binan, runner-up to Quezon Tangerines last season, thus solifidied hold of the third spot just behind Dasma and Quezon (8-1) in the race for a win-once semis bonus of the MPVA organized by the Volleyball Masters of the Philippines.
San Juan, for its part, moved to within striking distance from Pasay (5-5) for the coveted fourth seed behind the 16 points of Kaycee Balingit.
Yveian Orpiano and Toni Nitura chipped in nine and eight points, respectively, for the Lady Knights.
Selene Dagarat led Marikina with nine points while the efforts of Rhea Manalo and Sheeka Gin Espinosa went for naught anew for Caloocan as both squads stayed at the cellar.
