Following a frustrating loss last Wednesday, the College of Saint Benilde Lady Blazers rebounded with a four-set win over NCAA rivals San Sebastian College-Recoletos Lady Stags, 25-16, 23-25, 25-12, 25-17, in the Premier Volleyball League Collegiate Conference at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Saint Benilde stay in the Final Four hunt, bagging their second win in six outings. They need to win their finals elimination round match against Perpetual Lady Altas (1-4) on Saturday at the same venue and for the UP Lady Maroons (3-3) to drop their final outing against San Beda Red Lionesses (1-5) on Sunday to forge a tie for the final semis semis seat.
CSB head coach Jerry Yee admittedly was not looking at making the semis anymore. However, the first-year mentor wanted to see continued improvement from his squad.
“Inconsistent pa kami, pero ‘di na bali, sa brighter side na lang tayo mag-focus. So, kahit papaano, nakuha natin ‘yung panalo. Psychological naman ‘yung panalo namin eh, ‘pag nakakakita kami ng nakakatakot na team, natatakot kami. So we have to get over that,” he said.
The Lady Blazers’ inconsistency showed, as they struggled to gain an early edge against the Lady Stags in the second set. From there, the Taft-based program dismantled their foes in the following two sets.
Arianne Daguil led CSB with 15 points, while Chelsea Umali added 13.
Rookie Mary Dapol topped the Lady Stags with 15 points, while captain Joyce Sta. Rita managed 11 markers for San Sebastian.
The Lady Stags (0-6) will try to end their campaign with a win on Sunday against undefeated Adamson University Lady Falcons (6-0).
The Scores
CSB (3) – Daguil 15, Umali 13, Abriam 12, Pablo 12, Gamit 7, Austero 5, Lai 2, Ventura 2, Cardiente 0, Miranda 0, Torres (L), Sulit (L)
SSC-R (1) – Dapol 15, Sta. Rita 11, Carreon 5, Requierme 4, Sarmiento 4, Tan 3, Moralina 1, Arevalo 0, Santiago 0, Sison 0, Bermillo (L)
