De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde veterans Gayle Pascual and Mich Gamit presided as they survived a scare from Lyceum of the Philippines University, 21-25, 25-21, 20-25, 25-21, 15-7, to book an outright finals ticket in the NCAA Season 99 women's volleyball tournament on Sunday at Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The graduating Pascual top-scored with 21 points on 17 attacks and four blocks while seasoned middle blocker Gamit poured in 14 markers as the Lady Blazers completed an elimination round sweep for the third straight season, 9-0.
The Lady Pirates, meanwhile, absorbed their third straight loss to go 6-3.
Down 1-2 for the first time this season, the defending two-time champions clawed their way back in the fourth with Pascual powering a 3-0 run to bring them to the set point, 24-20.
Corrine Apostol, who was inserted into the game following the injury of Wielyn Estoque late in the fourth, found an opening to seal the set win and force a decider.
It was all Benilde in the fifth set as the wards of head coach Jerry Yee maximized an error-plagued Lyceum to secure a comfortable 13-6 cushion.
Pascual then broke down her two blockers for the match point before she went for a cross court kill to put the Lady Pirates away for good. Lyceum committed a total of eight errors in that final frame.
Young middle blocker Zam Nolasco provided the lift with 11 points while team captain Jessa Dorog chipped in eight markers as they extended their winning streak to 38.
Johna Dolorito churned out 24 points, 10 digs, and eight receptions while Joan Doguna and Jaja Tulang chimed in with 17 and 12 markers.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
