St. Benilde Lady Blazers, the new NCAA Champions. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
It’s a season of first.
College of St. Benilde took its first NCAA Women’s Volleyball title in convincing fashion, running rampant on San Sebastian College, 25-22, 25-23, 22-25, 25-22, Thursday at San Juan Arena.
Ranya Musa clinched the win with a simple tap, giving the Lady Blazers their first championship since entering the league in 1998.
College of St. Benilde was on the verge of a sweep when it led 22-20 in the third set after Musa’s block, but San Sebastian’s Jonah Corpuz went wild in the latter part of the frame, standing her ground to come up with five straight blocks to force a fourth set.
It was a close ensuing set but one costly service error from San Sebastian’s third set heroine Corpuz doomed her team and gave the Lady Blazers the 24-22 championship point.
Jeanette Panaga, Season 91’s Best Blocker, was awarded the Finals MVP after a masterful finals performance capped off by her 16 points, seven of which came from blocks, in game four.
Lady Blazers head coach Michael Cariño, determined to said his faith on his players didn’t waver even when the Lady Stags made a play in the third set.
“Sobrang tiwala ako kasi first two sets alam naming kaya namin yung kalaban, nung third set medyo nag relax nung third set nung lumamang kami ng dalawa sabi ko ‘di ko na bibitawan ito, pilitin ko mga bata na sobrang i-push na,’” Cariño.
“Sobrang happy, nakatala na kami ng history sa volleyball not only in the NCAA kundi sa buong Pilipinas na mako consider na team na isang halimbawa, yung imposible naging possible.”
Janine Navarro was the leading scorer for the champions finishing with 18 points while finisher Musa had 17.
Grethcel Soltones finished with 19 points for the Lady Stags but was hardly instrumental in the fourth set when SSC head coach Roger Gorayeb benched her for a long period of time.
Nikka Dalisay added 10 points for the Lady Stags.