University of Perpetual Help System DALTA strengthened its semifinals hopes with a 25-16, 30-28, 25-19 sweep of Ateneo de Manila University on Sunday afternoon at Paco Arena Events and Sports Center in Manila.

Coming off a narrow five-set loss to Colegio de San Juan de Letran on August 23, the Lady Altas received timely heroics from Shaila Omipon and Geraldine Palacio to complete an epic second-set comeback, securing a vital win and keeping their playoff bid alive in the eight-team tournament organized by Sports Vision.

Omipon led the team with 11 points, including nine attacks and two aces, while adding 11 excellent digs and seven excellent receptions. With the victory, Perpetual improved to a 2-3 record, moving just one game behind Letran (2-2) for fourth place.

Lady Altas overcome set-point deficit to take control

In the second set, Ateneo appeared poised to tie the match after Dona de Leon’s block and a Charisse Enrico attack error gave the Blue Eagles a 24-20 lead. But Perpetual surged at the perfect moment, overcoming eight Ateneo set points to claim the frame.

Back-to-back errors by Gena Hora and Faye Nisperos, coupled with a Palacio block on Ana Hermosura, completed the Lady Altas’ remarkable comeback, giving them a two-set advantage.

In the third set, Perpetual turned a 13-all deadlock into a pivotal 17-13 lead, sparked by consecutive aces from Omipon. A Pauline Reyes down-the-line kill, an Omipon cutshot, and back-to-back errors from Nisperos sealed the sweep in just 88 minutes.

Palacio finished with nine points on four blocks, three aces, and two attacks, while Jernalyn Menor and Reyes added eight points apiece.

Ateneo struggled to find momentum, with no player reaching double digits. Nisperos led the Blue Eagles with seven points on six attacks, while Jihan Chuatico and Chucel Njigha tallied six points each. Charisse Enrico contributed seven points, and Nicollette Gaa provided 16 excellent sets alongside three points.

Perpetual will aim to further strengthen its semifinal position when they face Arellano University on Saturday, September 6.