GAMES WEDNESDAY
(The Arena, San Juan)
11 a.m. – Arellano vs. Letran (Game 2 Finals men’s)
2:30 p.m. – Letran vs. Benilde (Game 2 Finals women’s)
SHOWING remarkable poise, College of Saint Benilde pounded out a 26-28, 26-24, 25-16, 25-19 victory over gutsy Letran yesterday and moved toward its dream four-peat in the 100th NCAA women’s volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
Sustaining her fiery performance, middle blocker Zam Nolasco scored 21 points on top of eight blocks and a service ace while Cristy Ondangan added 14 points as the Lady Blazers moved within a win of extending their dynasty in the grand old league.
The Taft-based crew tries to wrap up the title in the best-of-three title series this Wednesday at the same venue.
Skipper Mycah Go, who went straight to the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Rookie Draft in Novotel Manila Araneta City after the match, delivered an all-around performance of 12 points, 16 excellent receptions and eight digs while rookie Ash Lleses chipped in 10 markers.
“Nu’ng una kasi nag-slow start kami tapos natambakan lang din po talaga kami ng ilang points and parang hindi na po kami naka-(bawi) agad nu’ng set na iyon,” Nolasco said if their opening-set defeat.
“Pero, nu’ng second set, lumalamang sila pero pinilit po talaga namin na bumawi and kunin iyon,” she added.
The green-and-white squad is gunning for its fifth overall title and fourth straight victory under veteran tactician Jerry Yee.
Rookie Vanessa Sarie and sophomore Gia Maquilang paced Letran with 19 and 15 points, respectively.
In the winner-take-all battle for third duel, Arellano University spoiled Freighanne Garcia’s 38-point explosion for the Mapua University Lady Cardinals with a 27-25, 22-25, 31-29, 20-25, 15-9 victory.
Marianne Padillon and Laika Tudlasan sizzled for the Lady Chiefs with 25 and 20 markers, respectively, while graduating senior Pauline De Guzman tallied a double-double outing of 14 points and 13 digs.
De Guzman and setter Kristine Adante capped off their collegiate stint and are hoping to be drafted in the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft.
Garcia set a new scoring record for the league, eclipsing Letran rookie Sarie, who had 37 markers in the elimination round.
Mapua settled for fourth.
