San Sebastian wins 6th straight NCAA women's volleyball crown

San Sebastian College overcame a two-set deficit and pulled off a 22-25, 23-25, 25-12, 25-15, 15-12 victory over a hard-fighting Letran College on Thursday in the 86th NCAA women’s volleyball finals at The Arena in San Juan City. It was San Sebastian’s sixth straight women’s crown and 24th overall since Roger Gorayeb began coaching the women’s team in 1984. Letran looked as if it were headed for a victory to finally end 12 title-less years when they managed to steal the first two sets. San Sebastian, however, reclaimed its swagger in the third frame, zooming to a 12-2 lead and never looking back. The Recto-based team then tied the match at two sets apiece after once again coasting to an early lead in the fourth, then leaned on a service error by Letran’s Gena Keeshia Andaya to force a deciding frame. "I don't know why my players were anxious the entire match. Good thing we still have our championship poise," said Gorayeb, who was named the season’s Coach of the Year. Analyn Joy Benito, who won her second straight MVP plum, scored a season-record 31 hits while teammate Elaine Cruz added 15. Team captain Melissa Mirasol and Karten Berbano combined for 20 points, also for San Sebastian. In the juniors division, University of Perpetual Help scored a 25-16, 25-15, 25-23 win to sweep its own finals series against San Sebastian. – JVP, GMANews.TV