NCAA: St. Benilde inches closer to another unchallenged reign

The Lady Blazers celebrate their Game 1 triumph in the NCAA women’s volleyball Finals.—CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

St. Benilde is on the verge of a third straight 11-game title sweep in NCAA women’s volleyball and even as it showed off its dominance against Letran in Game 1 of Season 99’s championship series, coach Jerry Yee refuses to be complacent.

“I know there is still a next game that we have to work hard for, that there’s a chance we will lose,” Yee said after the Lady Blazers’ 25-21, 25-15, 25-14 victory over the Lady Knights on Sunday, one that showed that a fresh trophy is just a matter of when, not if.

And Yee is not simply assuming the closeout game will happen in Game 2.

READ: NCAA volleyball: Lady Blazers stretch unbeaten run

“Problems may arise so we have to fix things,” added Yee after the match at Filoil EcoOil Arena.

St. Benilde did not have to sweat through much of those problems, even against a Letran squad that fought hard in a manner that was unfortunately disguised by the straight-sets triumph.

Unbeaten in 4 years

Michelle Gamit, Gayle Pascual and Zamantha Nolasco combined for 40 points and showcased a wealth of attacking options in leading the squad to a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.

If St. Benilde can thwart Letran anew in Game 2, it will sweep its way to the crown for a third straight season and stretch its winning run to 39 games spanning four years.

There is another squad looking to extend its dynasty, this time in the men’s side.

University of Perpetual Help foiled Emilio Aguinaldo College, 24-26, 25-20, 27-25, 25-19, to take Game 1 of their own title series.

Reigning MVP Louie Ramirez 23 points while Jefferson Marapoc added 20 hits to power the Altas, who inched closer to a fourth straight crown and ninth in the last 12 seasons.