Lyceum bags WNCAA cage, volley crowns

MANILA, Philippines - Lyceum copped its fourth straight basketball crown and its 10th consecutive volleyball championship to complete another double in the WNCAA at the St. Scholastica’s College gym Sunday.

The Lady Pirates fought back from eight points to turn back the College of St. Benilde Blazers, 52-48, and complete a sweep of the best-of-three finals.

Arlene Gesalan topscored with 15 points while Jona Maye Yasay added 11 to make up for the measly three-point production of season Most Valuable Player Jessica Polindey.

The Lyceum spikers also swept Rizal Technological University, 25-18, 20-25, 22-25, 25-20, 15-11, in Game Two to win their 10th straight championship. Prior to Game 2, the Lady Pirates have never dropped a set in the entire season.

In the Senior B volleyball finals, University of Asia and the Pacific prevailed over Centro Escolar University, 21-25, 25-19, 25-20, 21-25, 15-10, to likewise complete a two-game sweep.

UA&P, meanwhile, forced a winner-take-all match for the Senior B basketball plum after besting La Consolacion College Manila, 51-46. It can duplicate Lyceum’s twin championship feat with another win on Sunday. La Consolacion took Game 1, 58-57.

Other MVP awardees were UA&P’s Auroro Biolena (Sr B basketball), Lyceum’s Joy Gazelle Cases (Sr A volleyball) and UA&P’s Selina Artadi (Sr B volleyball).

The 40th WNCAA is supported by Monster Radio RX 93.1, Goody, IBC 13, Manila Bulletin, Sports Digest, Muscle Tape, Burlington BioFresh, MJC Press and Macgraphics Carranz.

In senior futsal at the UA&P gym, RTU blanked Miriam College, 2-0, to remain on top at 4-0.

St. Scholastica’s College, meanwhile, secured at least a tie for a semifinal berth in junior volleyball when it dealt Miriam a 25-14, 25-20, 20-25, 25-14 beating on Saturday at the CKSC Narra gym.

The Scions remained unbeaten in six matches while the Katipuneras fell for the first time in six starts.

In junior basketball, leader Chiang Kai Shek College and defending champion Miriam College have secured the first two Final Four slots.

CKSC posted a 67-25 trampling of Philippine Women’s University and will go for a nine-game sweep on Saturday against De La Salle Zobel. Miriam, on the other hand, dumped San Beda Alabang, 63-33, for a 7-1 slate.