De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde needed five sets to extinguish the red-hot San Beda University, 15-25, 25-23, 28-26, 24-26, 15-13, to get back on track in NCAA Season 101 men’s volleyball on Saturday at the San Andres Sports Complex in Manila.
The Blazers leaned on the steady scoring of reigning Most Valuable Player Rocky Motol, who detonated for 29 points laced with 20 receptions and four digs as Benilde snapped its two-game dry spell to improve to 4-3 in Group A.
Benilde also put an end to San Beda’s four-game winning streak as the Red Spikers fell to a 5-3 card in Group B despite a 33-point explosion from Axel Van Book, who also recorded four digs and 13 receptions in the loss.
The Taft-based squad gained a crucial 12-10 lead in the deciding Set 5, thanks to a Mike Balbacal rejection on Ralph Cabalsa in the opposite side.
However, Cabalsa made up for it in the next play after firing a bullet from the same angle before a Balbacal attack error allowed San Beda to force a 12-all deadlock.
Reymark Betco’s clutch hit gave Benilde a 13-12 cushion, but his service error gave San Beda the chance to tie things up again. Benilde then secured the match point off a Balbacal quick kill as Motol supplied the clincher, unleashing the hammer from left wing to complete the hard-fought victory.
Betco finished with 21 points, while Balbacal chipped in 14 markers, including three blocks that proved crucial for Benilde.
With the win, Benilde was able to atone for its back-to-back losses to Arellano University and Lyceum of the Philippines University.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
