The College of Saint Benilde Blazers finished off the Mapua Institute of Technology Cardinals in three grueling sets, 25-19, 25-22, 25-22, to tie their victims at 2-1 win-loss record, Wednesday late afternoon at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Team captain John Vic De Guzman poured in MVP numbers to lead the Taft-based squad to their second straight win with 20 points, 18 coming from attacks. The Blazers outscored the Cardinals in this department, 43-30.
Most of these kills came in the first set when the Mapua spikers groped for defensive intensity. With better defense, the Blazers used their combination attacks to the tee.
The Cardinals played better in the next two sets and converted in transition with outside hitters Mark Egan and Alfredo Pagulong doing the damage.
Nonetheless, the Blazers were just too much on the net and with De Guzman and Kevin Magsino on fire, the win was just inevitable for the last year’s semifinalists.
Isaah Arda led the supporting cast for Benilde with eight markers, while Ron Jordan chipped in seven points, six off spikes. Kevin Magsino registered 32 excellent sets to orchestrate the Blazers’ fiery offense.
To grind out this tough win, skipper De Guzman emphasized their unity inside the court.
“Pinakamagandang nangyari sa min is yung team bonding lumabas. Kung mag-e-error kami, alam naming makakabawi. Tiwala lang sa isa’t isa,” he said.
Now on its second consecutive win, the Blazers look to extend their run. “Hindi natin mape-predict yung mangyayari sa next games, pero ang masasabi ko lang, hindi kami maghihiwalay hanggang makuha yung goal, [which is] championship,” he continued.
Egan and Pagulong paced Mapua with 11 points each.
The Blazers will attempt to push their winning run to three when they face the JRU Heavy Bombers on November 29, Tuesday. On the other hand, the Cardinals hope to bounce back when they face Arellano University Chiefs the day before.
The Scores:
CSB (3) – De Guzman 20, Arda 8, Jordan 7, Orian 6, Bacani 6, Basilan 4, Magsino 3, Momtano 0, Deximo 0, Dy L, Garcia L.
MIT (0) – Egan 11, Pagulong 11, Pertierra 7, Damian 3, Evangelista 3, Navera 3, Hizon 1, Andaya 0, Dais 0, Bondoc 0, Canlas L.
