Job’s far from finished despite CSB on cusp of title

St. Benilde Lady Blazers’ Gayle Pascual. -NCAA PHOTO

College of Saint Benilde (CSB) shrugged off taking an important step on the way to securing the women’s V-League Collegiate Challenge championship.

It knows that there is more to winning than just clinching Game 1.

“That win is nothing until the V-League is done, there are still no winners. We continue with a zero mentality until we haven’t clinched Game 2. Maybe there’s still a Game 3, so we will stay prepared for the incoming games,” player of the game Gayle Pascual told the Inquirer after the Lady Blazers dismantled Far Eastern University, 25-18, 25-18, 25-16, for the headstart in the finals on Wednesday at the packed Paco Arena in Manila.

The Lady Blazers controlled the pace early and continued to carry out their game plan calmly even with late game adjustments from Far Eastern.

That calm approach has been a key factor in Benilde’s bid and continues to yield positive outcomes.

“If there is still a Game 3, then we continue training and do the right things. We will continue to enjoy playing like we did earlier with our aggressiveness,” she added after contributing 12 points.

“Coach Jerry (Yee) always tell us ‘If you are relaxed, you move well inside the court and perform well,’ then we show our aggressiveness while we enjoy playing.”

Far Eastern suffered just its second loss in the tournament, and it could prove costly later on.

Benilde scored at will with Jade Gentapa top scoring for the Lady Blazers with 13 points off kills.

Benilde’s defense, however, shut down Far Eastern with no Lady Tamaraw reaching double digit scores.

The Lady Blazers are enjoying the road to the championship, but their hunger to succeed is in no way lacking.

“It would be a waste if we will just let it go. Coach also said that it is up to us if we want to win in the finals which motivates us,” Pascual said.