NCAA: St. Benilde dominates women’s, men’s volleyball opener
St. Benilde Lady Blazers in the NCAA Season 98 women’s volleyball tournament. –NCAA/GMA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—College of St. Benilde went on a roaring start in the NCAA Season 98 men’s and women’s volleyball tournament at San Andres Complex on Saturday.
The Lady Blazers, who swept last season to win the Season 97 title, hiked their winning streak to 19 after defeating San Sebastian, 20-25, 25-22, 25-13, 25-11, behind Jhasmin Gayle Pascual’s efforts. Benilde held a 7-0 card before the suspension of games in Season 95.
Benilde, which is still suffering from the loss of Mycah Go due to injury, relied on Pascual to notch the season-opening victory. She finished with 26 points built on 21 spikes, three blocks and two service aces.
Katherine Santos finished with 17 in the Lady Stags’ loss.
St. Benilde Blazers in the NCAA Season 98 men’s volleyball tournament. –NCAA/GMA PHOTO
The Blazers also enjoyed the same fate as they swept the Golden Stags, 25-17, 25-20, 25-18, in just 64 minutes.
Georgie Gauani and Roniey Adviento combined for 18 points with nine apiece to make quick work of Baste.
Kyle Angelo Villamor was the Golden Stags’ sole double-digit scorer with 17 markers.
The Arellano Lady Chiefs, meanwhile, joined CSB in the win column after sweeping Jose Rizal University, 25-18, 25-20, 25-23.
Three players finished in double-digits for the Lady Bombers but it was not enough to match Laika Tudlasan’s 23 big points built on 18 spikes and five aces for Arellano.
Sydney Mae Niegos finished with 11 to her name in the JRU loss while Karyla Jasareno and Riza Rose also ended with 10 each.
The Chiefs also won against the Heavy Bombers in men’s play, 22-25, 25-17, 25-20, 26-24, in a tightly-contested affair.
Carl Justin Berdal’s 27-marker outburst helped Arellano get its first win of the season. Adrian Villados also tallied a game-high 19 excellent sets en route to the victory.
Windel Laurenciana registered 13 points in the JRU loss while Kenneth Daynata and Matthew Miguel finished with 12 apiece as the Heavy Bombers began their tourney run at 0-1.
