College of St. Benilde recovered late in the fourth set to fend off University of Sto. Tomas, 25-17, 18-25, 25-19, 27-25, in the Pool B of the V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge at the Paco Arena, Wednesday.
Jade Gentapa finished with a team-high 15 points including 14 attacks while skipper Mycah Go collected 13 points, 11 excellent receptions, and 10 excellent digs for the Lady Blazers.
Gayle Pascual chipped in nine points while Clydel Catarig and Michelle Gamit provided six points each.
“Masaya. Kahit ano namang team ‘yan, kahit anong team. Kahit kulang, kahit sobra masaya kapag panalo,” said Benilde head coach Jerry Yee, who will be coaching Adamson University against Far Eastern University at 3:30 PM.
“Sa third set yung sa tingin kong talagang (nag-adjust kami). Naglaro lang tayo ng ibang tao and then nagrespond sila and then kung sino yung ready mag-laro, sila yung pinalaro natin,” he added.
Trailing by four points in the fourth frame, Go and Chenae Basarte powered a four-to-nothing blast to tie the game at 22 before Angeli Abellano stopped the bleeding to put the Golden Tigresses ahead anew.
Catarig nailed an off-the-block hit to knot the scores anew while a botched 1-2 play coming from Karylle Caasi placed the Lady Blazers at match point.
Both teams exchanged hits before Gentapa fired one off a combination play to put the reigning NCAA champions at match point once again, 26-25. Michelle Gamit put the cherry on top via a block on Imee Hernandez.
Abellana was the lone double-digit scorer for UST with 17 points.
Hernandez added nine markers while Ypril Tapia had eight points and 11 digs.
Benilde will face San Beda University on Wednesday, 10:00 AM while UST eyes bounce back against University of the Philippines later that day at 3:00 PM.
