Clinging to a slim chance at a semifinals appearance, the College of Saint Benilde Lady Blazers finished their PVL Collegiate Conference elimination round with a quick win over NCAA rivals University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Lady Altas, 25-11, 25-22, 25-18, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Lady Blazers improved their record to a 3-4. Their only hope of making the semis depends on tomorrow’s match between UP (3-3) and San Beda (2-4). A San Beda win locks the three squads in a triple-tie for the fourth seed. A UP win, on the other hand, will outright push the Lady Maroons to semis.
Saint Benilde head coach Jerry Yee is satisfied with his team’s campaign regardless of whether they make the semis.
“The PVL was very big for our preparation for the NCAA. Marami pa kaming kulang and kailangan ayusin, but this was big for us kasi first time ko sila na-handle,” said the first-year mentor.
CSB sprinted to a huge 18-8 lead in the first set, before fending off a late rally from the Lady Altas in the second frame. The Lady Blazers then maintained an unflinching five-point gap in the last set to close the match.
Open hitter Marites Pablo topped all scorers with 13 points. Klarissa Abriam and Arianne Daguil added nine markers, apiece.
The Lady Altas, who finished their campaign with a 1-6 record, had Dana Persa lead the squad with eight markers.
The Scores
CSB (3) – Pablo 13, Abriam 9, Daguil 9, Gamit 6, Umali 5, Austero 3, Lai 3, Cardiente 1, Cui 1, Miranda 1, Sarmiento 1, Ventura 1, Sulit (L), Torres (L)
UPHSD (0) – Persa 8, Rosal 5, Umandal 5, Suico 4, Gaviola 3, Aldea 1, Castillo 1, Gual 1, Llorente 1, Imbo 0, Dayao (L), Sangalang (L)
