College of Saint Benilde repulsed a stubborn Jose Rizal University in the NCAA Season 95 Men’s Volleyball Tournament, 25-20, 21-25, 25-12, 25-20, Friday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Blazers leaped to 5-3 after clinching their third consecutive victory, inching closer to another Final Four stint. The Heavy Bombers, meanwhile, lost their seventh in a row for a 1-7 card.
Ruvince Abrot was an unstoppable force in offense, finishing with 25 points off 21 attacks, and two each of blocks and service aces. The outside hitter also flexed his reception, ending with nine excellent first-ball deliveries.
Fellow winger Roniey Adviento broke through in this game with 12 markers, but his defense at seven digs and six excellent receptions was a huge help of CSB. Joshua De Sequera also came up huge at the middle with 10 markers.
“Patapos na nga ‘yung season, pero marami pa kaming dapat trabahuhin talaga,” CSB head coach Arnold Laniog admitted. “Especially dun sa mental aspect na hangga’t namin nakukuha ‘yung gusto naming mangyari, trabaho lang.”
The Blazers had to come up with crucial hits in the first two sets, but their errors late in the second gave the frame to the Heavy Bombers.
Nonetheless, a combination of better execution and opponent’s error-marred movements pushed CSB to a rout in the following frame. They eventually took control of the match.
All scoring skills came the way of the Blazers, but it was the concerted effort on net defense that made its impact on the win. The squad ended with 11 blocks against JRU’s five.
Matthew Miguel was the brightest spot in the match for JRU ending with 12 points and eight digs. Graduating middle hitter Miguel Estacio added 11 markers off 10 attacks and a service ace.
CSB will battle Mapua University (4-3) in a crucial match of semifinals implications next Friday, February 14. Meanwhile, JRU will close its season against Colegio de San Juan de Letran on Monday, February 10.
