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Benilde overpowers San Beda, rolls to 5th straight win ahead of rematch vs. Letran
NCAA
By BEA MICALLER,GMA Integrated News
De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde dominated San Beda University in straight sets, 25-17, 25-19, 25-18, to stretch its winning streak to five in the NCAA Season 100 women's volleyball on Saturday.
The three-time defending champions Lady Blazers captured the win before locking horns anew with equally streaking Colegio de San Juan de Letran on Wednesday.
The Lady Knights are looking dangerous at this point, winning their seventh straight game, the last of which came on Friday when they pulled off a dramatic 25-22, 25-19, 23-25, 23-25, 17-15 win against Arellano behind a record-smashing 37-point breakout from rookie Vanessa Sarie.
But if anything, the Lady Blazers are also looking lethal as of late as evidenced by their recent sweep of the Lady Red Spikers.
Zam Nolasco continued to impose her towering presence at the net to finish with 14 points anchored on 13 attacks and one block while team captain Mycah Go and middle blocker Cristy Ondangan chipped in 13 and 12 markers apiece. Go also added 10 digs and eight receptions.
Benilde broke a 6-all deadlock in the third frame with Clydel Catarig shining off the bench by hitting one from the right side to bring the Taft crew to a 17-12 lead.
San Beda made a quick spurt after lefty opposite spiker Janelle Bachar capped a 3-0 rampage that allowed the embattled Lady Red Spikers to cut the deficit to two, 17-15.
Ondangan then unleashed back-to-back points on attack and ace before Angel Habacon's two consecutive errors saw Benilde cruising to a 23-17 advantage.
Nolasco's push in the middle and Go's soft touch closed it out for the four-peat seeking Benilde.
Bachar and Habacon paced San Beda with 11 and 10 points each while team captain Reyann Cañete chimed in with nine markers.
The win should give Benilde enough confidence before taking on the red-hot Letran, which ended the Lady Blazers' impressive 43-game winning streak back in their first round meeting last March 8.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
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