Defending champions Benilde Lady Blazers forced a deciding Game 3 in the finals of the NCAA Season 101 Women’s Volleyball Tournament, while the Perpetual Help Lady Altas sealed a podium finish.
Perpetual Sweeps San Beda, Takes Bronze
Beginning Wednesday’ festivities’s twin bill at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum were the Perpetual Help Lady Altas and San Beda Lady Red Spikers. In the end, the former closed their campaign on a high note, sweeping the latter, 25-18, 25-18, 26-24.
The Lady Altas controlled the match from the outset, dictating the pace in the first two sets with consistent offense and solid floor defense to put the Lady Red Spikers on the back foot early.
San Beda showed more resistance in the third set, battling back from a late deficit to force a 24-all deadlock after capitalizing on a Perpetual error.
However, the LadyAltas quickly regrouped as Cy Almeniana delivered in the clutch, converting a crucial play to regain match point. A misfired attack from Janelle Bachar on the next rally ultimately sealed the straight-set victory for Perpetual.
Almeniana led the charge for Perpertual with 20 points, 2 blocks and 10 digs. Geraldine Palacio and Jem Menor added 11 points apiece, while Camille Bustamante had 8 points.
On the other side, Bachar paced San Beda with 21 points and 2 blocks while Angel Habacon was limited offensively as she scored only 8 points with 13 digs.
With the win, Perpetual secured a podium finish and improved on its fifth-place showing last season.
Five-Peat Dream of Benilde Lives On
The Benilde Lady Blazers didn’t hold back as they kept their championship dynasty alive after sweeping the Letran Lady Knights, 25-18, 25-21, 27-25.
Facing elimination, the Lady Blazers came out determined and controlled the tempo early, taking the first two sets behind dominant net play and steady execution.
Fresh from being crowned league MVP, Zam Nolasco led the charge, consistently delivering through the middle to keep Letran on the defensive.
Benilde appeared poised for a comfortable finish in the third set after racing to a commanding 15-5 lead. However, Letran mounted a spirited comeback behind Nicen Colendra and Gia Maquilang, erasing the deficit and even grabbing a slim 25-24 set point after an extended rally.
The defending champions, though, leaned on their composure in crunch time. After forcing a deadlock at 25-all due to Letran miscues, the Lady Blazers capitalized on another error to regain match point.
Nolasco then delivered the finishing blow, converting a quick attack off a perfect set to seal the straight-sets victory and force a winner-take-all Game 3.
Nolasco finished with 19 points built on 18 attacks while Rookie of the Year Cam Bartolome added 14 points and a service ace while Clydel Catarig had 11 points, 3 blocks and 8 digs.
Letran’s Game 1 heroes, Judiel Nitura and Vanessa Sarie, were limited to just 9 and 6 points, respectively. Maquilang and Colendra led the Lady Knights in scoring with 11 points apiece.
With the series now tied at 1-1, Benilde and Letran head into a decisive Game 3 to be played on April 10, Friday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum at 2:30 p.m.
