COLLEGE of St. Benilde and Arellano made it a Sunday double whammy for Letran in the NCAA volleyball finals.
The four-peat seeking Lady Blazers recovered from a first-set meltdown to turn back the Lady Knights, 26-28, 26-24, 25-16, 25-19, in Game One of the Season 100 women’s title series at the FiiOil Centre.
Zam Nolasco led the reigning champions with 21 points, 13 attacks and eight blocks, including one against Vanessa Sarie that clinched the wn for the reigning champions.
The Arellano Chiefs likewise did the same against the Knights in their own best-of-three series in the men’s side after scoring a 27-25, 25-14, 22-25, 25-22 win in Game 1.
Carl Berdal had 19 points on 17 attacks, and Adrian Villados added 18 excellent sets in the win that put the Chiefs on the verge of a first-ever men’s volleyball championship.
The Lady Blazers and Chiefs go for the kill in Game 2 set on Wednesday.
"We just won the first game. It’s not over yet," said Benilde team captain Mycah Go, who was later selected in the second round of the PVL Draft by Zus Coffee.
"It will not be easy. We expect our opponent to give everything they have in the next game,’’ added Benilde coach Rogelio Getigan Jr.
In the women’s battle for third place, the Arellano Lady Chiefs survived the all-time single game scoring explosion of Mapua’s Freighanne Garcia to prevail, 27-25, 25-22, 31-29, 25-20, 15-9.
Marianne Padillon tallied 22 attacks out of 25 points and Laika Tudlasan added 20 for the Lady Chiefs, who pulled the win despite Garcia tallying 38 points for the Lady Cardinals.
Garcia erased the previous NCAA all-time high mark of 37 set by Letran’s Sarie.
2025-06-09T18:15:14Z