The NCAA Season 101 Women’s Volleyball Tournament resumed on Wednesday at the San Andres Gym in Manila with another semis double-header. The Benilde Lady Blazers punched their ticket to the Finals with a win over the Perpetual Help Lady Altas, while the San Beda Lady Red Spikers halted the Letran Lady Knights’ winning streak to force a deciding Game 3 on Saturday.
Benilde Advances to Fifth Straight Finals After Beating Perpetual
The five-peat-seeking Benilde Lady Blazers are now back in the Finals after sweeping the Perpetual Help Lady Altas, 25-18, 26-24, 25-21.
Benilde dictated the pace early, taking the opening set with steady offense and solid net defense. The second set, however, proved to be more competitive as Perpetual fought back from a six-point deficit to tie the score at 24-all behind a late surge sparked by Shai Omipon.
In crunch time, rookie Cam Bartolome rose to the occasion, delivering a clutch hit before firing a service ace to secure the set and give the Lady Blazers a commanding two-set advantage.
The third frame remained tightly contested, with Perpetual managing to tie the score at 18-all. Benilde, however, leaned on its championship composure, unleashing a decisive run anchored by Shahanna Lleses and capped by timely contributions from Bartolome and Zam Nolasco to pull away.
Bartolome then powered through a two-woman block to bring up match point before Nolasco sealed the win with a strong middle attack.
Bartolome starred with a career-high 22 points, including a pivotal stretch in the final set, while Nolasco and Clydel Catarig added 11 and 9 markers, respectively, to support the balanced attack.
Omipon led the Lady Altas with 10 points, with Jemalyn Menor adding 8, as Perpetual fell short and dropped to the battle for third place.
San Beda Snaps Letran’s 15-Game Winning Streak
The San Beda Lady Red Spikers stayed alive in the Final Four after ending the 15-game winning streak of the Letran Lady Knights with a 25-17, 21-25, 25-23, 25-21 victory.
San Beda took control early by claiming the opening set, but Letran responded in the second to level the match. The pivotal third set saw the Lady Red Spikers build an 18-12 lead behind Angel Mae Habacon, only for the Lady Knights to mount a late rally and force a 23-all deadlock.
San Beda held its ground in the closing stretch as Vanessa Sarie’s service error and a crucial block by Sofia Dela Cruz on Judiel Nitura handed the Lady Red Spikers the set and a 2-1 advantage.
The fourth set remained tight, with both teams trading leads midway through. After Letran briefly moved ahead, San Beda answered with a decisive 5-1 run sparked by Kat Molina to grab a 21-18 edge. Janelle Bachar then took over late, delivering back-to-back hits to push the Lady Red Spikers to match point before combining on a block to seal the victory.
Bachar led San Beda with an impressive 25 points built on 20 attacks, three blocks, and two aces. Habacon added 12 markers, along with solid all-around numbers, while Dela Cruz chipped in nine points.
Nitura paced Letran with 20 points, while Sarie added 16 markers, nine digs, and 14 receptions in the losing effort, as the Lady Knights struggled with 25 unforced errors.
With the win, San Beda forced a decisive Game 3 on Saturday, March 28, where the winner would advance to the Finals to face Benilde.
