BY ABBY TORALBA
COLLEGE of St. Benilde whipped Letran 25-21, 25-15, 25-14 yesterday in Game 1 of their best-of-3 finals showdown for the 99th NCAA women’s volleyball tournament crown at The Arena in San Juan.
The trio of Michelle Gamit, Gayle Pascual and Zamantha Nolasco took charge for the Lady Blazers with 14, 14 and 12 points, respectively, for a crucial 1-0 head start in the series and moved within a win of a third straight title sweep.
CSB goes for the jugular in Game 2 set on May 26, Sunday, at the same venue.
If the Lady Blazers end up winning anew, they will complete their third straight 11-game perfect campaign while extending their spectacular streak to 39 straight triumphs that started in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.
“Basta kami me isa pang game para magtrabaho pa ulit dahil puwede matalo din, puwede magka-problema, so kailangan may ayusin pa,” said CSB coach Jerry Yee, who also thanked generous patron Strong Group Athletics’ Frank Lao.
In men’s play, Perpetual Help nipped Emilio Aguinaldo College 24-26, 25-20, 27-25, 25-19 to move on the verge of extending its dynastic reign to another season.
Reigning MVP Louie Ramirez was at his electric self again as he fired 23 points while Jefferson Marapoc added 20 hits as they willed the Altas to move one win away from claiming a four-peat crown and ninth in the last 12 seasons.
“This is a good start for us, and I know na-wake up sila nung tinalo kami noong first set,” Perpetual strategist Sammy Acaylar said.
“So, ang sabi ko sa kanila from first game eliminations up to this game isama-sama nila iyong galing nila physically, psychologically, emotionally, spiritually isama-sama nila that will make a good game sa second sa game namin.”
