Carl Berdal pranced on the floor, beaming with every electrifying smash like there was no more tomorrow.

There was none indeed after Berdal punctuated his collegiate career by leading the Arellano Chiefs to a breakthrough championship with a masterful 24-26, 25-21, 25-15, 25-17 victory over the Letran Knights in the NCAA Season 100 men’s volleyball Finals on Wednesday.

“All those sacrifices and the hard work that our team went through with the coaching staff really paid off,’’ said Berdal in Filipino after the Chiefs finally clinched its first crown since joining the league 16 seasons ago.

In his final year with the Chiefs, Berdal made sure his last collegiate game will be one for the books.

The graduating opposite spiker pummeled the Letran floor with 15 attacks off 16 points and got rewarded Finals MVP after they swept the race-to-two series.

Berdal, however, couldn’t have done it without conspiring with a highly skilled veteran core made up of setter Adrian Villados, hitters AC Guinto, Jiwen Sinuto, Jake Pangilinan and middle blocker Anfernee Curamen.

“Most of us will graduate this season and we were able to achieve this. I cannot express how happy I am for giving our school its first NCAA title,’’ said Berdal, who broke down into tears after Pangilinan’s sharp crosscourt hit at championship point.

Villados choreographed their team’s last dance with 24 excellent sets and seven points, Guinto had 17 points, Sinuto contributed 14 and Curamen added 12.

Arellano Chiefs celebrate after beating Letran Knights for the NCAA Season 100 men’s volleyball crown. –AUGUST DELA CRUZ/INQUIRER

Arellano coach Bryan Vitug was named coach of the year after the Chiefs weathered a twice-to-beat disadvantage against the Mapua Cardinals in the Final Four following a long double-round tournament of 18 elimination games.

“We cannot accomplish this without the support of the school, the Cayco family, the team management, the students and the entire Arellano community,’’ said Vitug on his rookie season of handling the Chiefs.

Trailing after a lethargic opening set, the Chiefs came charging back in the second frame after wiping out a three-point deficit with Guinto launching a variety of air strikes capped by a piercing crosscourt at set point.

Bembem Bautista had 15 points, Christer Ambrocio added 12, Vince Himzon 11 for the Knights, who likewise dropped their series opener in four sets.

Berdal was unstoppable in attacking the net in Set 3 as the Chiefs built a 19-10 advantage with help coming from Curamen and Sinuto.

Berdal turned back Dave Lardizabal’s desperation hit that ended the set, putting them closer to the title.

The Chiefs continued to ride on that wave of confidence in closing out the Knights in the fourth set. Guinto’s cross and a power tip by Villados created a four-point gap that Arellano exploited as they inched to wrapping up the series.

Berdal’s back-to-back hits plus a Villados ace widened their lead, 23-15, before Jake Pangilinan ended Letran’s hopes with a sharp smash at championship point.