Unbeaten St. Benilde clobbers

MANILA, Philippines — Jose Rizal U College of St. Benilde overpowered Jose Rizal University, 25-13, 25-21, 25-9, yesterday to secure a place in the Final Four in the 97th NCAA volleyball tournament at the Paco Arena.

Jade Gentapa unleashed a masterful 16-point effort while flamboyant Michelle Gamit scattered 12 hits as the Lady Blazers rolled to their seventh straight victory and a place in the semifinals.

It was another dominating win for CSB, which moved two games away from sweeping the elimination round and barging directly into the best-of-three championship.

It clashes with University of Perpetual Help Wednesday and reigning three-peat champion Arellano U Saturday for its last two games.

Interestingly, the Lady Blazers matched their blistering 7-0 start two years ago before the competition was eventually called off due to the pandemic.

“We’ll just continue to work and train harder,” said CSB coach Jerry Yee, who is hoping to steer the Taft-based school to its second league crown since going all the way seven years back.

Skipper Mycah Go, Jhasmine Gayle Pascual and Cristy Ondangan also helped in the cause and chipped in seven points apiece.

The Lady Blazers sputtered to 3-4 but remained in Final Four contention.

In the other game, Mapua edged Lyceum of the Philippines University in a tighly fought contest, 25-22, 16-25, 18-25, 25-18, 15-12, to bolster its Final Four bid with a 4-3 record.

The Lady Pirates sank to 3-4.