De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde continued building its dynasty after denying Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 25-18, 25-17, 25-18, in Game 2 of the NCAA Season 99 women’s volleyball finals on Sunday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
The Lady Blazers completed the school’s first-ever three-peat while also making it an impressive 40-game winning streak dating back to 2020.
In Game 1, Benilde overcame a slow start to pull off a 25-21, 25-15, 25-14 sweep victory against the Lady Knights, who were looking to quench more than two decades of a title drought.
Gayle Pascual, the graduating opposite hitter, led the Lady Blazers with 15 points off 14 attacks and one block en route to bagging her second Finals MVP plum, which she also earned back in Season 97.
Another graduating player in middle blocker Mich Gamit chipped in eight points, highlighted by the game-winning attack, while Jade Gentapa and Zam Nolasco churned out eight and seven markers each.
The Lady Knights tried to mount a comeback in the third frame with Gia Maquilang unleashing a cross court attack to give the Lady Knights a 14-13 cushion.
But the Lady Blazers fueled a 5-2 rampage capped by a Pascual hammer from the right wing as Benilde regained the advantage at 18-16.
Gentapa, who is also playing her final year, then soared for the powerful attack before Judiel Nitura went wide on her attempt as Gamit took advantage of an overpass from Maquilang to issue the finishing kick.
Nitura, however, emerged as the top scorer for Letran with 12 points while Maquilang posted nine.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
