The highly-anticipated match of the NCAA Season 97 women's volleyball didn't live up to hype as College of Saint Benilde routed defending champion Arellano University, 25-15, 25-15, 25-14, to complete a sweep of the elimination round on Saturday.
With the win, the dominant Lady Blazers wrapped up their eliminations campaign with an unbeaten slate at 9-0 to book an outright seat in the finals. CSB will now await the winner of the knockout stepladder semifinals.
Four-peat seeking Arellano, on the other hand, will finish the elims in second place with a 7-2 card.
The Lady Chiefs tried to keep pace with the Lady Blazers but CSB banked on the fiery Mich Gamit, who helped them build a 22-15 lead before three consecutive errors from Arellano veteran Cess Bello handed CSB the first set, 25-15.
CSB further asserted its dominance in the second, igniting for a total of 19 attacks while limiting Arellano to just eight for a similar 25-15 victory.
Jade Gentapa led CSB's second set rampage as Arellano was forced to field a different setter in Donnalyn Paralejas.
Sophomore team captain Mycah Go then took matters into her own hands in the third, serving back-to-back aces for a 17-7 spread before Gamit went for a swipe for the game-winning point, 25-14.
Go had another all-around outing with 15 points to go along with 14 digs and nine excellent receptions while Gentapa chipped in 14 markers and nine digs.
Gayle Pascual chimed in with 13 points as CSB stayed perfect.
—JMB, GMA News
