COLLEGE of Saint Benilde is not giving an inch to challenger Letran as it vies for a third consecutive NCAA women’s volleyball championship at the Filoil EcoOil Centre today.

Except for a rough patch in the opening set, the Lady Blazers dominated the Lady Knights in the Finals opener, 25-21, 25-15, 25-14, to move on the cusp of completing a third straight perfect season.

Eyeing a 40th victory in a row which it started in the pandemic-shortened 2020, Benilde is focusing at the task at hand which is to perform well in the 2:30 p.m. match.

“Me isang game pa, trabaho pa rin,” said Lady Blazers coach Jerry Yee. “Bahala kayo kung sabihin nyo boring, mismatch or whatever, but we have to work and secure this.”

The quartet of Clo Mondoñedo, Michelle Gamit, Gayle Pascual and Jade Gentapa hope to end their decorated NCAA careers as champions.

Maintaining a back-to-zero mentality, Pascual, last season’s Finals MVP, hopes to get the job done and not let the series extend to a Game 3.

“Lahat naman kami, gustong gumadweyt na champion kami. Iyon ang iiwan na legacy sa mga bata din, ituloy-tuloy nila,” said Pascual, who shared the scoring mantle with Gamit in Game 1 with 14 points.

Benilde is eyeing for a fourth crown overall, having first won in improbable fashion in 2016, beating Grethcel Soltones-led San Sebastian.

A decider, if necessary, is set June 1.

In men’s action, University of Perpetual Help System Dalta shoots for a four-peat as it tackles Emilio Aguinaldo College at 12 noon.

Powered by reigning MVP Louie Ramirez’s 23-point performance, the Altas seized Game One, 24-26, 25-20, 27-25, 25-19, to close in on a league record 14th men’s crown.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Theodore P. Jurado