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

COLLEGE of Saint Benilde was simply too hot to handle for first-time finalist Lyceum of the Philippines University.

Working like a well-oiled machine, the Lady Blazers dominated the Lady Pirates, 25-17, 25-19, 25-19, to move within a win of completing a second straight perfect season in the NCAA women’s volleyball tournament Tuesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

Gayle Pascual led the way for the Lady Blazers with 15 points, including three blocks while captain-setter Cloanne Mondoñedo tossed in 12 excellent sets and fired two service aces.

“One game at a time. I’m happy that we got it,” said coach Jerry Yee as Benilde stretched its undefeated run to 28 matches dating back to 2020.

The Lady Pirates have a couple of days to figure it out how to foil the Lady Blazers’ quest for perfection in Game 2 set at 2 p.m. on Friday at the San Juan arena.

Meanwhile, the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta moved closer to completing a men’s three-peat with a 25-20, 25-16, 25-22 victory over San Beda.

Rookie Jeff Marapoc closed out Game 1 with a powerful kill in the middle after the Red Spikers saved five match points, extending the Altas remarkable winning streak to 32.

The second-winningest program in the league, Perpetual shoots for its 13th men’s title overall – all under coach Sammy Acaylar – with a victory in Game 2 on Friday.

“Service plans, attack plans, nakuha namin. Execution okay naman so hopefully, tuloy-tuloy na,” said Yee, as Benilde was able to correct the all mistakes from its five-set victory over LPU in the eliminations.

Blocking also keyed the Lady Blazers’ series-opening win as Zamantha Nolasco logged three of her team’s eight blocks.

The Lady Pirates felt all the jitters being the debutants on the league’s biggest stage as no player scored in double-digits.

Joan Doguna led LPU with nine points, including a service ace, Johna Dolorito tallied eight kills while Jaja Tulang added seven points and produced her side’s only block in the 78-minute match.

Louie Ramirez was at his usual best for the Altas with 17 points and 13 receptions, Marapoc had 11-of-19 spikes to finish with 13 points and collected seven digs while Joshua Zareno chipped in 10 points.

Perpetual setter JC Enarciso also had a huge outing with 16 excellent sets to go along with team-highs two blocks and two service aces.

Despite the straight-set romp at gave the Altas a 10-0 record in the season, Acaylar was not satisfied with the way his troops performed in the opener.

“Actually I was surprised sa game ng mga bata ko,” said Acaylar, who had several tune-up matches from other collegiate schools prior to the Finals. “Yung energy, yung intensity ngayon, hindi ko nakikita.”

“I told them gusto kong makita ang game ninyo talaga.”

Ralph Cabalsa logged 16 points and five receptions for San Beda, which is making its first Finals appearance since 2012.