De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde needed just a little more than an hour to cop its fifth sweep victory in the NCAA Season Season 99 women's volleyball tournament as it thrashed Arellano University, 25-16, 25-20, 25-14, on Wednesday at FilOil EcoOil Centre.
The two-time defending champions made quick work of the streaking Lady Chiefs to improve to 6-0 and move closer to a return trip to the Final Four round.
Arellano, on the other hand, dropped to an even 3-3 record following two wins in a row last week against San Beda University and San Sebastian College-Recoletos.
Team captain and sophomore ace Jessa Dorog piloted the three-set assault with 13 points anchored on 10 attacks and three aces on top of nine receptions while graduating middle blocker Mich Gamit poured in 10 markers on nine attacks and one ace.
The Taft crew, though, still faced some fightback from Arellano en route to its sixth win.
Enjoying a 22-15 lead in the second set, the Lady Blazers saw their big lead cut down to three after 5-1 rampage from the opposing camp. However, Dorog completed another attack while Moming Padillon's attack error sent Benilde to a 2-0 set lead.
As Dorog fueled the first two sets for Benilde, it was the turn of their veterans in the endgame.
Seasoned opposite hitter Gayle Pascual, who didn't see action in the second frame, and Gamit powered a 9-2 closing barrage with the former burying five of her seven total points in that juncture.
Pau De Guzman and Padillon led Arellano anew with 12 and 10 points apiece but their efforts were not enough as they fell to the sixth spot and temporarily out of the semifinals picture.
—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News
