MANILA — Defending its crown with urgency, College of Saint Benilde unleashed a dominant all-around performance to overpower Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 25-18, 25-21, 27-25, and force a winner-take-all Game 3 in the NCAA Season 101 women’s volleyball finals on Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Refusing to fold after dropping the opener, the Lady Blazers leaned on newly crowned MVP Zam Nolasco, who delivered 19 points in a statement outing that evened the best-of-three series at 1-1 and shifted momentum back to Benilde heading into the decider.
Nolasco imposed her presence on both ends, steadying Benilde in crucial stretches, including a tense third set where Letran threatened to extend the match. With the Lady Knights surging late, the veteran middle blocker answered with timely hits to seal the straight-sets victory.
“Sobrang nakaka-boost ng confidence po kasi ngayon lang nami sila natalo this season and sa finals pa so reward ‘yun para sa amin ‘yun [before] Game 3,” Nolasco said.
“Malaki din pong recognition [‘yung MVP award] for me as a player and hindi ko naman po pinersonal kasi hindi pa naman tapos ‘yung trabaho namin this season,” she added.
Benilde’s depth also proved decisive, with Ilongga rookie Cam Bartolome continuing her breakout run with 14 points, while Clydel Catarig added 11 as the Lady Blazers sustained pressure throughout the match.
The Lady Blazers looked poised for a runaway finish after building a double-digit lead in the third set, but Letran mounted a spirited comeback behind its bench, briefly seizing a set point and threatening to stretch the contest.
However, the Lady Knights faltered in the clutch, committing costly errors that allowed Benilde to regain control and complete the sweep.
Defensively, Benilde executed a key adjustment by neutralizing Letran’s top scorer, reigning Best Opposite Hitter Judiel Nitura, who was held to just nine points after a strong Game 1 showing. Nicen Colendra and Gia Maquilang paced Letran with 11 points each, but it was not enough to prevent the series from heading to a decisive Game 3.
With the championship now hanging in the balance, both squads brace for a high-stakes finale where momentum and composure will determine the NCAA Season 101 women’s volleyball champion./PN
