By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
College of St. Benilde survived a tight opening set before producing a scintillating display of power to return to the NCAA volleyball summit in grand fashion.
After being challenged to the max in the first set, the Lady Blazers played in perfect harmony the rest of the way to complete a perfect season, beating the Arellano University Lady Chiefs, 26-24, 25-12, 25-9, for a two-game sweep of the
NCAA Women’s Volleyball Finals Friday at The Arena in San Juan City.
The Lady Blazers won all nine games in the eliminations for an outright finals berth. They took Game 1, 25-21, 25-11, 25-10, last Wednesday.
So awesome were the Lady Chiefs they dropped only one set throughout the season.
St. Benilde not only reclaimed the title they last won in the 2015-2016 season but also dethroned three-time champion Arellano in a dominant fashion.
However, it wasn’t smooth sailing for the Lady Blazers as they wasted two set-point advantages before banking on their net defense to take the opening frame.
They quickly regained their formidable form and played like a well-oiled machine in the next two frames, particularly in the third set, where they pulled away early for 13-3 lead. That was enough to disarm the Lady Chiefs.
“Eto po yung trabahong gusto naming tapusin and finally nakamit na namin,” said skipper Mycah Go, who capped the team’s blazing finish with a service ace.
Gayle Pascual, who was adjudged Finals Most Valuable Player, and Jade Gentapa, led the Lady Blazers with 14 and 11 points, while Cristy Ondangan chipped in 10 points.
Go, who was earlier adjudged the Season MVP and first Best Outside Spiker, finished with eight points.
Arellano’s poor defense proved to be its downfall as they managed only two blocks compared to St. Benilde’s 12.
Only Pauline De Guzman finished in double figures for the Lady Chiefs with 10 points.
Meanwhile, San Sebastian’s Katherine Santos also shared the podium as Rookie of the Year awardee along with teammate Reyann Canete (Best Opposite Spiker), Lyceum’s Venice Puzon (Best Setter) and Zonxi Dahab (first Best Middle Blocker), Jose Rizal University’s Dolly Versoza (second Best Outside Spiker), Mapua’s Alyanna Nicole Ong (second Best Middle Blocker), and Emilio Aguinaldo College’s Alex Salvaloza (Best Libero).
