COLLEGE of St. Benilde seems to have found a gem in outside spiker Gayle Pascual, who continues to impress and play like a veteran in the 95th NCAA women’s volleyball tournament.
With Pascual leading the way, the Lady Blazers bucked a first-set hiccup and trounced the San Beda University Lady Red Spikers 17-25, 25-18, 25-22, 25-22 yesterday for their sixth straight win and remained unbeaten at The Arena in San Juan.
Pascual, the team’s top rookie, scattered a match-best 20 points on 16 attacks and four blocks, while veterans Diane Ventura and Chelsea Umali chipped in 14 and 11 markers, respectively.
San Beda absorbed its second straight loss for a 3-2 record, still inside the Top Four.
Although they showed signs of complacency, CSB skipper and setter Jewel Lai said coach Jerry Yee kept his faith and encouraged her players.
“Siguro nagre-relax kami at naging kampante. Hanggang sa nahabol na paisa-isa, hindi namin napansin iyong score,” said Lai.
“Sabi lang ni coach (Jerry Yee), push lang. Hindi pa tapos iyong game kaya walang titigil,” she added.
Team captain Cesca Racraquin and Nieza Viray paced San Beda with 13 points apiece, while Trisha Paras and Jeziela Viray had 10 hits each.
In the other match, Jose Rizal University dumped hapless Emilio Aguinaldo College 25-22, 25-17, 25-19 to snap a four-game losing skid.
Dolly Grace Verzosa led the Lady Bombers with 16 points off 12 spikes and three service aces, while Mary May Ruiz and Sydney Niegos added 10 apiece.
With the victory, JRU improved to 2-4 and kept the Lady Generals winless in five outings.
“Kailangan lang naming tumapos. Kasi iyong past games naman, lalamang iyong kalaban ng malaki, tapos hahabol kami, pero kapag malapit na mag-e-error-error na. Iyong ang naging pattern,” said JRU coach Mia Tioseco.
“Kailangan lang naming tumapos ng set and tapos, hopefully, ng game.”
Lauren Cabrera and Dhariane Gallardez scored 10 points apiece for the Lady Generals.
