Manila: College of Saint Benilde kicked off its five-peat campaign in the NCAA Season 101 women's volleyball with a 25-21, 20-25, 25-14, 23-25, 17-15 victory over Mapua University at San Andres gym in Manila on Friday. Zamantha Nolasco had a career-high 29 points built on 28 attacks and a block for the Lady Blazers.
According to Philippines News Agency, Nolasco expressed the team's mindset, stating, "Right now, we feel like it will be difficult for us to defend the title, but we're just embracing it." The Lady Blazers recovered from a 10-14 deficit to wrest the lead at 15-14, before the Lady Cardinals tied, courtesy of Raissa Janel Ricablanca. Clydel Catarig and Shekainah Lleses scored in the next play to seal the win. Catarig finished with 18 points followed by Camila Bartolome with 16 points, including five aces.
Ricablanca led Mapua with 27 points while Alyanna Nicole Ong and Nadine Angeli Berces chipped in 15 and 12 points, respectively.
Meanwhile, Marie Judiel Nitura scored 18 points as Letran beat Arellano University, 25-10, 25-17, 25-17. Letran's new coach, Mayette Carolino, remarked, "They (the team) are easy to get along with, our adjustments aren't that difficult. We can adapt everything quickly." Crisanta Servidad paced the Lady Chiefs with nine points, followed by Laika Tudlasan with seven points.
