NCAA volleyball: St. Benilde ends Arellano’s reign, completes season sweep for title

The St. Benilde Lady Blazers are the NCAA Season 97 women’s volleyball champions. –NCAA/GMA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–St. Benilde completed a sweep of the NCAA women’s volleyball tournament all the way to the finals to capture the championship on Friday.

The Lady Blazer went undefeated in 11 matches including a sweep of Arellano University in the finals capped off by a 26-24, 25-12, 25-9 romp  in Game 2 at Filoil Flying V Centre.

St. Benilde, which gained outright passage to the final,  only dropped a set the entire season.

Gayle Pascual led the Lady Blazers’ assault in the clincher with 14 points, including three blocks and one service ace to be named the Finals’ Most Valuable Player. She scored 17 in Game 1.

“I trusted the girls, they’ve very hard working. I saw their abilities since I’ve been with them for a while,” said St. Benilde head coach Jerry Yee in Filipino.

Mycah Go, who won the Season MVP plum, finished with eight points, including the title-clinching service ace, to go with 15 digs and four receptions while Michelle Gamit added seven points, including three blocks.

The Lady Blazers ended the Lady Chiefs’ reign as champions for three straight seasons.

Despite that, Arellano coach Obet Javier was proud of his team’s effort in the runner-up finish.

“I saw how they all gave their best,” said the Lady Chiefs coach. “I’m happy and proud of what the team achieved this season despite the short preparation.”

Pau de Guzman led Arellano with 10 points, while Charmina Diño added six kills, 10 receptions and nine digs.

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

The individual awardees for the NCAA Season 97 women’s volleyball tournament. –NCAA/GMA PHOTO

Kat Santos of San Sebastian took home the Rookie of the Year plum in the awards ceremony prior to Game 2.

Go along with Dolly Verzosa of Jose Rizal U were named the 1st and 2nd Best Outside Spikers, respectively, while San Sebastian’s Reyann Cañete bagged the Best Opposite Spiker citation.

The 1st and 2nd Best Middle Blocker honors went to Lyceum’s Zonxi Dahab and Mapua’s Nicole Ong.

The Lady Pirates’ Venice Puzon claimed the Best Setter award while Best Libero honors went to Emilio Aguinaldo College’s Alex Salvaloza.