MANILA — Ilongga rookie Cam Bartolome delivered a career-defining performance as College of Saint Benilde swept University of Perpetual Help, 25-18, 26-24, 25-21, to punch a return ticket to the NCAA Season 101 women’s volleyball finals on Wednesday at the San Andres Sports Complex.
Bartolome erupted for 22 points, anchoring the Lady Blazers’ dominant semifinal closeout and providing the firepower needed to seal the best-of-three series in straight games, 2-0.
Zamanta Nolasco contributed 11 points, while Clydel Catarig added nine as the four-time defending champions leaned on a balanced offensive attack to overwhelm the Lady Altas.
Despite controlling much of the match, Benilde faced a late scare in the second set after Perpetual forced a 24-all deadlock. Bartolome rose to the occasion, hammering a crucial attack followed by a service ace to swing momentum firmly in Benilde’s favor and establish a commanding two-set lead.
The Lady Altas refused to go quietly in the third set, pulling even at 18-all behind a rally sparked by Shai Omipon. However, Benilde responded with a decisive finishing run anchored by Shahanna Lleses to complete the straight-sets victory.
With the win, the Lady Blazers advance to the finals and await the winner of the other semifinal showdown between Colegio de San Juan de Letran and San Beda University.
San Beda kept its title hopes alive after forcing a do-or-die Game 3 with a 25-17, 21-25, 25-23, 25-21 victory over Letran in their semifinal duel.
The loss marked the first defeat of the season for the previously unbeaten Lady Knights, who swept the elimination round and won their quarterfinal and semis opener before stumbling in Game 2./PN
