Amazing Lady Blazers repeat sweep feat

MANILA, Philippines — College of St. Benilde swept its way to the NCAA women’s volleyball title for the second straight season to secure its place in the league’s hierarchy as one of the greatest teams of all time.

Destiny was set when the Lady Blazers mauled the Lyceum of the Philippines University Lady Pirates, 25-19, 25-11, 25-20, yesterday to cap a perfect Season 98 campaign where the former won all their 11 games including two in the one-sided finale.

It matched an equally magnificent performance last season when the league of extraordinary ladies from Taft Avenue went undefeated.

It was CSB’s third title in all, but what set it apart was it accomplished what no team had done in several decades – win back-to-back titles via sweeps.

Jhasmin Gayle Pascual fired a game-high 15 points, the same output she had in powering her squad to a 25-17, 25-19, 25-19 triumph in the series opener last Tuesday.

Jade Gentapa, for her part, chipped in 13 hits and was later named Finals MVP.

CSB coach Jerry Yee, who coincidentally turned a leaf on this momentous day, later said he was relieved they managed to get through this season despite missing last year’s MVP Mycah Go, who sat out the whole season due to an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tear.

But Go, who was on the bench as part of Yee’s staff, is set to be back next season when the Lady Blazers go for a three-peat feat, and possibly another sweep.

“For us, mailusot lang namin itong taon, okay na kami in the coming years,” said an emotion-less Yee. “Hirap competition ngayong taon dahil nag improve at naging competitive lahat ng teams.”