In the rematch of the NCAA Season 98 Women’s Volleyball title, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde defeated Arellano University by scores of 25-15, 25-21, and 25-19 to go to the Final Four.
Perpetual, Lyceum, and Mapua are currently in second, third, and fourth place, respectively, with a few games left in the elimination phase, while the defending champions are still unbeaten at 8-0. Arellano lost ground on the top four with a 4-3 record.
After the Lady Blazers won the first set easily, the Lady Chiefs knotted the game at 21-21 before the Taft team went on a 4-0 run to end the second set and take a 2-0 set lead.
Benilde encountered a similar situation in the third set, where Arellano had an early 8-4 lead. Yet, the team of Jade Gentapa and Gayle Pascual continued to shine, with the former contributing to the Lady Blazers’ 14-13 advantage.
Benilde erupted for a 7-2 thrashing led by Pascual, Gentapa, and Cloanne Mondoedo as the score was once again tied at 15, giving them a crucial 22-17 advantage. Janice Manuntag and Robbie Matawaran scored two points each for Arellano’s team as the Lady Chiefs attempted to mount a modest rally.
Mondoedo, a renowned offensive setter, got Benilde to the match point before Gentapa capped the play with a strike from her own hammer.
Gentapa scored 21 points on the basis of 19 attacks and two blocks, while Pascual added 17 points and 10 digs.
Arellano had no players reach double figures, with Marianne Padillo and Matawaran’s eight and seven points, respectively, serving as the team’s lone bright spots.
Benilde will take on Jose Rizal University on Sunday in an effort to finish the elimination round on a high note, and Arellano will try to rebound against Colegio de San Juan de Letran on Saturday in an effort to make it to the Final Four.
