It was a productive Friday for the Letran Lady Knights and Benilde Lady Blazers, as each notched crucial victories to tighten its grip on a coveted top-two seed in their respective groups in the continuation of the NCAA Season 101 women’s volleyball tournament.
Benilde Sweeps Perpetual
The Lady Blazers rediscovered their rhythm after losing to Letran and dismantled the Perpetual Lady Altas, 25-20, 25-16, 25-19, in a battle of the top two teams in Group A.
After a tight opening stretch in the first set, Benilde leaned on its veteran core to pull away, capitalizing on steady passing and efficient transition play to secure the early advantage. The Taft-based squad carried that momentum into the second frame, tightening its net defense and forcing Perpetual into difficult attacks en route to a commanding two-set lead.
The Lady Altas attempted to regroup in the third, but Benilde’s balanced offense proved too much.
Timely hits from Clydel Mae Catarig and Zam Nolasco kept the pressure on Perpetual, while rookie Camila Amor Bartolome provided a spark to maintain separation. The Lady Blazers closed out the match in just 83 minutes, completing the sweep and improving to 7-3 in Group A.
Catarig and Nolasco spearheaded the charge with 16 points apiece, while Bartolome added 13 markers. Setter Chenae Basarte orchestrated the attack with 19 excellent sets, and Shekaina Lleses chipped in seven points along with 11 digs and 11 receptions.
Jemalyn Menor paced Perpetual with 16 points, as Geraldine Palacio and Cyrille Joie Almeniana were limited to six each.
Letran’s Hot Streak Continues
In the other match, Letran survived the winless EAC Lady Generals, 25-19, 25-23, 23-25, 25-27, 15-13, in a tight contest to remain unbeaten in Season 101.
Letran controlled the opening two sets behind steady attacking and floor defense, but EAC refused to fold. The Lady Generals claimed the third frame and outlasted the Lady Knights in a tense fourth to force a deciding set.
The Lady Generals threatened to complete the reverse sweep after storming to a 4-1 lead in the fifth. Letran answered quickly, leveling at 5-all before trading blows in a frantic stretch. Vanessa Sarie’s back-row hit nudged the Lady Knights ahead, yet EAC countered to seize a 12-10 edge.
Momentum swung again when Cara Dayanan’s attack went long, and Judiel Nitura delivered consecutive points to reclaim control. A costly position error by EAC handed Letran match point. Though Dayanan briefly kept EAC alive, Nitura hammered the final blow to seal the win.
The third-year superstar finished with 21 points, while Sarie and Nicen Colendra added 13 and 11, respectively.
Meanwhile, Dayanan paced the winless Lady Generals with 19 points, Marinel Ramos with 18, and Alex Razonable with 17 as EAC fell to 0-10. (MDB)
