Another season, another sweep.
In another show of force, College of St. Benilde demolished first-time finalist Lyceum, 25-19, 25-11, 25-20, to win the NCAA Season 98 women’s volleyball crown Friday, April 14, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
And what a win it was for the Lady Blazers as it coincided with the birthday of coach Jerry Yee.
The title win was Benilde’s 28th straight since last season – a testament to their growing stature as one of the country’s premier teams.
For her consistent fine showing, outside spiker Jade Gentapa was named Finals MVP with 133.421 statistical points in two Finals matches.
“Sabi ko po kay Coach [Jerry] na tatapusin na namin ‘yung laban na ‘to at wala na kaming iisipin pa, kaya naging impressive din po ‘yung pagpalo ko [ngayong Game Two],” beamed Gentapa who finished with 13 kills and 11 digs.
For Yee, the win – his 37th in 40 career NCAA matches – was a fitting a gift as he bagged the Coach of the Year honors for the second year running.
“Excited and masaya pa rin ako as always [manalo ng championship],” said Yee. “For us, mailusot lang namin ‘tong taon na ‘to, okay na kami in the coming years. Ang hirap ng competition ngayon [sa Season 98] at lahat nag-improve, kaya happy kami.”
They achieved the feat without last year’s MVP Mycah Go due to a knee injury weeks before the start of the season.
But unlike last year where it only dropped a set, Benilde encountered a couple of five-setters that tested its character.
Gayle Pascual, the newly-minted Best Opposite Spiker award, dropped 15 points to lead the way for Benilde.
In the men’s division, San Beda snapped Perpetual’s 32-game winning streak with a stunning 17-25, 25-27, 25-22, 25-23, 15-11 victory, sending the series to a rubber match. The Red Spikers overcame season MVP Louie Ramirez’s 32-point explosion to hand the three-peat seeking Altas their first loss since Feb. 16, 2018.
Game 3 is on Sunday at the San Juan arena.
Ralph Cabalsa had 19 points and seven digs, Kenrod Umali also scored 19 points to go along with 10 receptions while setter Jerome Lopez tossed in 33 excellent sets and fired two service aces for San Beda.
