Nolasco, CSB one win away from NCAA Women’s Volleyball crown

COLLEGE of St. Benilde (CSB) rode on Zam Nolasco’s brilliance as it turned back Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 26-28, 26-24, 25-16, 25-19, on Sunday to move on the cusp of completing a four-peat feat in NCAA Season 100 women’s volleyball at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.

Ms. Nolasco, an MVP candidate, cast her long shadow and unleashed 21 points including 12 on attacks and match-high seven blocks to help power the Lady Blazers to a 1-0 lead in their short but sweet best-of-three title series.

One more win in Game Two on Wednesday will seal CSB its fourth straight championship and fifth overall.

A decider, if necessary, is on Sunday.

The Lady Knights, who were eyeing their first championship in 27 years and ninth overall, appeared headed to seize the opener after snatching the first set and leading, 23-20, in the second.

But Letran faltered while CSB came roaring back to steal the set and tie the count at a set apiece.

That was all the Lady Blazers needed to dominate the last two sets while it proved to have broken the will of the Lady Knights.

Earlier, Arellano University trounced Letran, 27-25, 25-14, 22-25, 25-22, to likewise move on the verge of snaring the men’s crown.

The Chiefs, who were paced by Carl Justin Berdal’s 19 points, are eyeing their breakthrough men’s title while the Knights are hoping to force a Game Three for a crack at a 14^th crown that would tie them with the University of Perpetual Help Altas as the most titled in the division. — Joey Villar