MANILA — San Beda Lady Red Spikers tightened their grip on a Final Four berth after snapping the four-game winning run of College of St. Benilde Lady Blazers in a gritty five-set thriller, 21-25, 25-19, 20-25, 25-18, 15-12, in the NCAA Season 101 women’s volleyball tournament Saturday at the San Andres Sports Complex.
With the victory, the Lady Red Spikers not only ended Benilde’s hot streak but also extended their own run to four straight wins, climbing to a 7-1 record in Group B and emerging as one of the tournament’s strongest contenders heading into the crucial stretch.
San Beda showed composure in the deciding fifth set after trailing 8-6. The Lady Red Spikers responded with a decisive 6-1 blast to seize control at 13-9, sparked by consecutive hits from Angel Mae Habacon.
A net fault briefly slowed San Beda’s momentum, while Cam Bartolome delivered a block to pull Benilde within 13-11. But Janelle Bachar slammed the door shut, unleashing back-to-back attacks to seal the victory.
Bachar spearheaded San Beda with 24 points, while Habacon backed her up with 22 markers. Setter Gina Espina orchestrated the offense with 24 excellent sets and added a point.
Zam Nolasco exploded for 25 points to lead Benilde, while Clydel Catarig added 16 points built on 14 attacks and two blocks as the Lady Blazers slipped to 5-2 in Group A.
In the earlier match, the University of Perpetual Help Lady Altas bounced back from a recent defeat with a 25-14, 24-26, 25-19, 25-22 triumph over the Arellano University Lady Chiefs.
Jemalyn Menor powered Perpetual with 26 points, while Shai Omipon chipped in 12 as the Lady Altas improved to 6-1 in Group A.
Crisanta Servidad tallied 13 points for Arellano, and Catherine Domasig dished out 17 excellent sets as the Lady Chiefs dropped to 2-4 in Group B./PN
