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Benilde bucks slow start vs Mapua, advances to fourth straight finals stint
De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde bucked a slow start against Mapua University, 20-25, 25-15, 25-17, 25-18, on Sunday to advance to the NCAA Season 100 women's volleyball finals for the fourth straight season.
The four-peat seeking Lady Blazers will now wait for the winner of the Final Four match between no. 2 seed Colegio de San Juan de Letran and Arellano University which will face off on Tuesday.
In the fourth set, Benilde already led 13-7 before Mapua inched closer, 16-13. Zam Nolasco then scored one for the Lady Blazers before a block trimmed Mapua's deficit, 17-14. Gregg Cabadin's service error, however, gave an easy point for Benilde before an attack error handed the Taft-based crew a five-point lead.
Mapua scored one again before Nolasco ignited a run for the Lady Blazers as they eventually led 23-17. Freighanne Garcia then put one more for Mapua before Cristy Ondangan and Nolasco sealed the victory for the Lady Blazers.
"Nung first set naging mabagal kami, ang daming bumabagsak na bola. Nagalit si coach so nag-respond ang mga bata nang mabilis and nagkapalitan ng tao. Pagdating ng second set, nakuha na namin," Benilde head coach Onyok Getigan said.
Chenae Basarte distributed the ball well as she had 16 out of 19 excellent sets and five scorers scored in double digits. Zam Nolasco had 19 points built on 18 attacks, while Aya Densing had 13 points. Shahanna Lleses had 11 points, while Mycah Go had 10 points.
Freighanne Garcia had 14 points, while Raissa Ricablanca added 13 points as the Lady Cardinals were relegated to the battle for bronze.
The Finals will commence on June 8.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
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