By WAYLON GALVEZ
Gayle Pascual of College of St. Benilde delivers a shot against Letran during their game in the NCAA Season 95 volleyball tournament yesterday at The Arena in San Juan City. (Waylon Galvez)
College of St. Benilde stretched its unbeaten streak to three games with a 25-20, 25-18, 25-15 win over Letran in NCAA Season 95 women’s volleyball tournament yesterday at The Arena in San Juan City.
It was balanced scoring for the Lady Blazers as all 11 players contributed with Chelsea Umali steering with seven points.
Klarisa Abriam, Michelle Gamit and Jade Gentapa each had six points for St. Benilde, which improved to its third straight win in as many matches ahead of defending three-time champion Arellano University (2-0).
Gayle Pascual and Mycah Go came off the bench to add five points apiece for the Lady Blazers.
Letran kept close in the opening frame before St. Benilde pulled away late with Diane Ventura capping her four-point outing in the set with a kill.
St. Benilde coach Jerry Yee shuffled his lineup in the second and third set to rest veterans Marites Pablo and Abriam.
“Ang napag-usapan lang naman namin is relax lang sila, ilaro lang nila kung ano yung laro nila. After namin mag-five sets sa first game and four sets sa second game, eto madyo nawala yung pressure sa players namin,” said St. Benilde assistant coach Jay Chua.
“Hindi rin namin inasahan na 3-0 kami, pero masaya ang buong team dahil maganda ang takbo ng campaign namin. May mga games na magiging mahirap, lalo yung last two - San Beda and Arellano. Pero tuloy lang ng players yung laro nila focus sa game.”
Letran dropped to 1-1 in a tie with University of Perpetual Help and Jose Rizal University.
Chamberlaine Cuñada finished with 15 hits for the Lady Knights.
In men’s action, Ruvince Abrot scored 15 points as St. Benilde downed Letran, 25-21, 25-16, 25-22, for 2-1.
In juniors, Arieh Barba scored 10 points as Letran earned its first victory at the expense of CSB-La Salle Greenhills 25-12, 25-11, 25-8.