By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Dasma Monarchs inched closer to completing a dream season sweep after securing a finals berth with a commanding win over the Negros ICC Blue Hawks in the 2025 Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association (MPVA) semifinals at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna.
Shaking off a sluggish opening set, the Monarchs overpowered the Blue Hawks, 23-25, 25-12, 25-16, 25-6, to complete a 2-0 sweep of their best-of-three series and advance to the championship round in their debut MPVA season.
The balanced offensive firepower of Celine Marsh, Natasha Bombita and Minerva Maaya proved too much for Negros, with each scoring 14 points.
Team captain Vange Alinsug added 13 markers, while Sam Cantada and Alexa Nichole Mata chipped in five apiece.
The Monarchs had earlier dominated Game 1, 25-15, 25-15, 25-16.
With the victory, Dasma — backed by a core of three-time UAAP and four-peat Shakey’s Super League champion National University Lady Bulldogs — extended its unbeaten run to 16 matches, now two wins away from completing a perfect season in the eight-team league.
Dasma now awaits the winner of the remaining semifinal series between defending champion Quezon Tangerines and the Biñan Tatak Gel – Arellano University Lady Chiefs.
Quezon kept its title-retention bid alive earlier in the day, bouncing back from a tough Game 1 collapse to sweep Biñan, 25-18, 25-15, 25-19, and force a do-or-die Game 3 at the Arellano University Gym in Legarda, Manila.
Rhea Mae Densing fired 16 points to lead the Tangerines, with Zam Nolasco adding 15.
Shahanna Lleses finished with six, while Shekaina Lleses and Clydel Mae Catarig delivered five each for the gritty squad composed largely of NCAA four-peat champion College of St. Benilde Lady Blazers.
Laika Tudlasan, who starred with 17 points in Game 1, led Biñan again with 10 markers, keeping the Lady Chiefs’ hopes alive for a return to the finals after settling for runner-up honors last season.
The Tangerines and Lady Chiefs, who faced off in last year’s championship, will meet once more for the right to challenge Dasma in the MPVA finals — an opportunity to either continue a dynasty or derail the Monarchs’ bid for perfection./ASC, WDJ