College of Saint Benilde completed a stunning 11-game sweep of the National Collegiate Athletic Association women’s volleyball season with a 26-24, 25-12, 25-9 stomping of Arellano University Friday at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
So dominant were the Lady Blazers that in their perfect record, they only lost one set the entire season as they captured their second league championship.
Gayle Pascual came with 14 points, including three blocks and one service ace to capture the Finals MVP honors. She tallied 17 points in CSB’s Game 1 victory.
“Puwede na sabihin na nanalo na kami kasi natapos na namin ang season,” said Pascual.
Jade Gentapa contributed 11 points and 10 digs, while Cristy Ondangan also had three blocks for a 10-point outing for the Lady Blazers.
Season MVP Mycah Go had eight points, including the championship-clinching service ace, to go with 15 digs and four receptions, while Michelle Gamit added seven points, including three blocks for CSB.
Cloanne Mondoñedo, who provided the Lady Blazers stability all-season long, tossed in 15 excellent sets to go with three points.
“Tiwala ako sa girls. Masipag ang mga girls. Nakita ko ‘yung mga abilities nila, kasama ko na sila, matagal na,” said CSB mentor Jerry Yee.
The loss ended the Lady Chiefs’ three-crown reign that started in 2017.
Pau de Guzman led Arellano with 10 points, while Charmina Diño added six kills, 10 receptions and nine digs.
In their final game for the Lady Chiefs, Carla Donato had six points while Cess Bello, bothered by swelling knees all-season long, scored one point.
“Nakita ko na ibinigay nila ang best nila,” said Arellano coach Obet Javier. “Happy pa rin ako kahit short lang ang preparation. Proud ako sa nakuha ng team ko ngayong season.”
Earlier, Kat Santos of San Sebastian took home the Rookie of the Year plum in the awards ceremony prior to Game 2.
Go and Dolly Verzosa of Jose Rizal University were the 1st and 2nd Best Outside Spiker awardees, respectively, while San Sebastian’s Reyann Cañete was named the Best Opposite Spiker.
The 1st and 2nd Best Middle Blocker honors went to Lyceum of the Philippines University’s Zonxi Dahab and Mapua’s Nicole Ong.
LPU’s Venice Puzon claimed the Best Setter award while Best Libero honors went to Emilio Aguinaldo College’s Alex Salvaloza.