Games Friday:
(Filoil EcoOil Centre)
12 noon – San Beda vs Perpetual (Men Finals)
2 p.m. – LPU vs Benilde (Women Finals)

COLLEGE of St. Benilde hopes to complete a second consecutive perfect season in the NCAA women’s volleyball tournament against Lyceum of the Philippines University Friday at the Filoil EcoOil Center.

“Gusto naman talaga ng team makuha yung championship. Sabi nga ni coach (Jerry Yee), ilan beses kami maglalaro ng championship na, kaya namin mag back-to-back. So ayun trabaho lang naman yung need namin gawin para matapos lang din,” said Gayle Pascual after the Lady Blazers’ 25-17, 25-19, 25-19 conquest of the Lady Pirates last Tuesday.

Despite having a huge psychological advantage, Benilde is not taking LPU for granted.

“So di pa naman tapos yung game eh may two pa iyon. Yun naman lagi sinasabi sa amin ni coach kahit kanina na mahaba pa ito may Game 2 pa,” said Pascual who is poised for a back-to-back Finals MVP award after logging in 15 points, including three blocks.

Not only Pascual who is delivering the goods but also Benilde captain Cloanne Mondoñedo, who hopes to secure the Best Setter honors in the 10 a.m. awarding for the league’s top individual performers.

With Mondoñedo orchestrating the plays, and sometimes even goes on attack mode if she has the opportunity, the Lady Blazers have balanced offense with Michelle Gamit, Jade Gentapa, Zam Nolasco and Jessa Dorog contributing.

The Lady Pirates, for their part, hope to brush off all the jitters by learning all the Game 1 experience and play their A-game to extend the series.

University of Perpetual Help System Dalta, meanwhile, seeks to complete a three-peat against San Beda in Game 2 at 12 noon.

Louie Ramirez had 17 points and 13 receptions in the Altas’ 25-20, 25-16, 25-22 romp over the Red Spikers in the Finals opener, extending the Las Piñas-based squad’s winning run to 31 matches dating back from 2018.