The College of Saint Benilde shook off the late charge of the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers to clinch their third consecutive win in three sets, 25-15, 25-23, 25-18, Tuesday afternoon at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Once more, Johnvic De Guzman steered the Benildeans with 23 points, 20 off booming spikes.
However, it was the heads-up contributions of middle attackers Ron Jordan, Jethro Orian, and Francis Basilan that made their mark. The center hitters accounted for 16 total points for the green-shirts.
The Bombers kept in step with the Blazers, particularly in the second and third sets, with better floor coverage. Still, the Taft squad poured in 42 attacks as opposed to JRU’s 22.
Ronaldo Dampitan Jr. was the only Bomber in double digits with 10 points.
Benilde coach Arnold Laniog praised his team’s dedication to improve as shown in their last three games. “Pagkatapos nung first game namin na talo, nakita namin yung players namin na nagpursigi. Mas nag-double time,” he said.
“Alam nila yung Perpetual, defending champions, so nakita nila yung level, although that time di pa organized yung laro namin. Alam namin na one game at a time kami. Every game ineevaluate namin. Kung saan mahina kami, yun ang pinapalakas namin,” the mentor added.
The in-form Blazers (3-1) look to extend their winning run to four when they face the resurgent Lyceum Pirates (2-1) on Tuesday, December 6. The Bombers (1-3), meanwhile, will test their mettle against Mark Enciso and the rest of the San Beda Red Spikers (2-1) the day before.
The Scores:
CSB (3) – De Guzman 23, Jordan 8, Arda 7, Orian 6, Bacani 3, Deximo 2, Basilan 2, Montano 1, Martinez 0, Bautista 0, Dy L, Garcia L.
JRU (0) – Dampitan 10, Lahaylahay 6, Cebrero 3, Sioco 3, Sulivas 3, Ferwelo 2, Estacio 1, Rabaja 1, Cruz 0, Francisco 0, Flor L, Defensor L.
