MANILA — College of Saint Benilde Lady Blazers rallied from a set down and dominated the deciding frame to outlast San Sebastian College-Recoletos, 25-22, 23-25, 23-25, 25-13, 15-5, and clinch a crucial twice-to-beat advantage in the NCAA Season 101 women’s volleyball quarterfinals on Tuesday at the San Andres Sports Complex.
The hard-earned victory lifted the four-time defending champions to an 8-3 record in Group A, securing a key incentive heading into the playoffs. San Sebastian dropped to 5-7 but remains in contention for a postseason berth despite the setback.
Zam Nolasco powered the Lady Blazers with a dominant 28-point outing built on 18 attacks, eight blocks and two service aces, while Clyde Catarig provided strong support with 20 markers, including six blocks.
Shekaina Lleses added 15 points and anchored the backline with 24 excellent receptions, while rookie Cam Bartolome chipped in 13 markers in the gritty five-set triumph.
San Sebastian threatened to pull off the upset after grabbing a 2-1 set lead. Juna May Gonzales and Kath Santos broke a 22-all deadlock in the third set to deliver a narrow 25-23 win and push the Lady Stags ahead in the match.
Benilde quickly regrouped in the fourth frame, storming to an early 8-0 lead and dictating the tempo. A quick attack from Nolasco widened the gap to 18-10 before Cristy Ondangan and Catarig sealed the set to send the contest into a deciding fifth set.
The Lady Stags briefly closed the gap to 4-3 in the decider on a hit by Tina Marasigan, but the Lady Blazers responded with a decisive 5-0 run. Nolasco ignited the surge with three straight hits before Lleses capped the rally for a commanding 9-3 cushion that Benilde never relinquished.
Gonzales paced San Sebastian with 27 points, while Santos and Marasigan contributed 22 and 15 markers, respectively, in a loss that snapped the Lady Stags’ three-match winning streak.
In another match, Arellano University completed a dramatic comeback to defeat San Beda University, 22-25, 19-25, 26-24, 25-17, 15-12. The Lady Chiefs improved to 5-6 in Group B, while the Lady Red Spikers slipped to 9-3./PN
