College of Saint Benilde barely broke out a sweat to annex its breakthrough V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge title at the expense of an overmatched Far Eastern University side, 25-18, 25-19, 25-18, in Game 2 of the finals yesterday at the Paco Arena.
The reigning National Collegiate Athletic Association champions dominated the Lady Tamaraws right from the opening serve to lift their first-ever title made sweeter by completing a masterful best-of-three series sweep.
The Lady Blazers once again flexed their muscles on defense to frustrate the opposing attackers while Zamantha Nolasco showed the way on offense with 12 points she collected from seven kills and five kill blocks.
“It’s all about preparation. Ever since we’ve been preparing for all our games but it comes to execution come game time,” Saint Benilde assistant coach JP Martires said following their sweep of FEU, which came into the finals unbeaten.
“All the experience we had here adds to our arsenal which we hope to use in the coming NCAA.”
Finals Most Valuable Player Gayle Pascual played only two sets but still came up with seven points while Jade Gentapa and Clydel Catarig had six points each for Saint Benilde, which improved from its third place finish last year.
It was all Lady Blazers in the series after drawing first blood, 25-18, 25-18, 25-16 last Wednesday in Game 1.
“We’re very happy since most of our seniors are playing their last V-League and at last, we’re able to capture the championship this year. This is a big achievement for us,” Pascual, who also bagged the Best Opposite Spiker award, said.
“We came into the game with the mindset of not letting this championship slip off our hands. Since we’re able to get Game 1 we just need to make one last push to get the championship.”
FEU’s atrocious 27 errors hastened its downfalls while Mitzi Panangin was the only bright spot on offense with 11 points.
Veteran Chenie Tagaod had to bleed for 8-of-31 attacking clip to score nine points while skipper Nikka Medina finished with five for the Lady Tamaraws.
Meanwhile, Mary Rhose Dapol of University of Perpetual Help System Dalta was named tournament MVP.
Gentapa and Kiesha Bedonia of FEU were awarded Best Outside Spikers, Nolasco and Riza Nogales of University of the East were named Best Middle Blockers while FEU’s Tin Ubaldo and Marian Tracy Andal of Perpetual took home the Best Setter and Best Libero plums, respectively.
