Dasma Monarchs moved on the brink of two-round sweep while reigning champion Quezon clinched at least a Top 2 finish in the 2025 Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association on Friday night at the Lucena Convention Center.
Dasma made short work the cellar-dwellar Marikina Lady Shoemasters, 25-11, 25-7, 25-12, to extend their winning streak to 13 games in the event founded by also MPBL chairman Manny Pacquiao.
Quezon, at home, turned back the Biñan Tatak Gel Arellano U Lady Chiefs (10-4), 20-25, 25-19, 25-18, 25-19, to dodge complications for a possible tie at 11-3. It’s the 12th straight win for Quezon, thus sealing a place inside the Top Two at 12-1.
The Tangerines even sport a shot to snatch the No. 1 seed from unbeaten Monarchs in their rematch in the final playdate as of press time given a higher set ratio. Quezon absorbed its lone defeat in a five-set thriller against Dasma in the opener.
Myrtle Escanlar and Harlyn Serneche connived with 17 and 14 points, respectively, as the Monarchs needed only 67 minutes to dispatch the Lady Shoemasters.
Dasma, backed by three-time UAAP and four-peat SSL champion NU Lady Bulldogs, hardly needed the eruption of ace spikers Vange Alinsug, Sam Cantada and Celine Marsh to shore up their drive for another title in another league as the country’s top volleyball program.
Denesse Daylisan, Jenelyn Jacob and Joseline Patriz Salazar stepped up in their place with eight, seven and six points, respectively.
Zam Nolasco, on the other hand, led the way with 19 points while Rhea Mae Densing and Shahanna Lleses added 15 and 12 points, respectively, for Quezon powered by four-peat NCAA champion College of St. Benilde Lady Blazers.
In the other game, the Negros ICC Blue Hawks eliminated the San Juan Lady Knights with a 25-23, 25-20, 19-25, 15-25, 15-9 escape act and gained an inside track to the Final Four.
Andrea Caparal stamped her class with 20 points as Negros leapt to 6-7 to seal the fourth seed from Pasay, which finished at 6-8. San Juan got the boot at 4-9.
Negros now hold its own fate, needing only to win in its final match against Marikina to complete the Final Four of the MPVA backed by Mikasa, Asics, Spurway Enterprise, Gerflor, Smart Communications and XIV Apparel.
Abegail Nuval fired 25 points while Eloiza Balmedina had seven points in losing efforts for the also-ran San Juan and Marikina (1-12). Laika Tudlasan (18) and Keisha Alexa Abitria (13) led Biñan, which finished third after a runner-up placing last season.
The four remaining teams will figure in a best-of-three duel starting next week until the finale under a similar format for the coveted title of the MPVA organized by the Volleyball Masters of the Philippines.
Losers of the semis then figure in a knockout battle for the bronze medal
