The upstart San Beda College Lady Red Spikers punctuated their inaugural Shakey’s V-League Collegiate Conference campaign with a resounding win over reigning NCAA champions College of Saint Benilde Lady Blazers 25-16, 25-21, 25-20 at the historic PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
The Mendiola-based spikers stayed tough through all three sets, biding their time until the Lady Blazers made a series of cf crucial errors. The first set was tight until CSB surrendered errors and bad passes leading to a 21-15 San Beda lead. The second set was much closer with Benilde guest players Janine Navarro and Djanel Cheng pumping instant energy and helping their team out of a 16-14 hole into a 19-17 lead.
But the Lady Red Spikers quickly regained momentum thanks to guest player Janine Marciano’s serving which powered a 4-0 run that had Benilde go up 21-19. CSB managed a last gasp rally to tie at 21 but their own misreceptions and errors throttled San Beda to the second set win.
The third frame began with both teams trading share of the lead until CSB cobbled together a string of hits to net a 16-14 lead. Again, the wheels on the CSB bus gave way in the end. Unable to pass SBC’s serves, the Taft-based ladies succumed to an 8-3 Lady Red Spikers rally and limped to end their season.
“Masaya ako for the team pero hindi pa rin totally satisfied kasi malaki ang naitulong ng mga guest players namin for this win,” said San Beda head coach Nemesio Gavino. “Pero malaki ang na-improve ng maturity ng mga players ko. Malaki ang tulong nito para sa NCAA.”
San Beda alum Marciano managed 16 points while her fellow guest player Wyneth Eulalio managed six points. San Beda’s resident outside hitter Cesca Racraquin provided 14 markers.
NCAA Finals MVP Jeanette Panaga tallied 10 points for CSB who finished their campaign without a win. SBC goes home with a solitary win.
The Scores
SBC (3) – Marciano 16, Racraquin 14, Viray J. 8, Eulalio 6, Cuevas 4, Espiritu 3, Viray N. 0, Manuel 0, Racraquin D. (L), Zamudio (L)
CSB (0) – Panaga 10, Navarro 8, Musa 6, Daquil 3, Cheng 2, Austero 2, Enginco 2, Ventura 2, Santillan 1, Cardiente 0, Lim (L), Torres (L)
