De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde got to keep its title hopes alive after surviving Mapua University, 25-18, 25-21, 22-25, 20-25, 15-9, in Game 2 of the NCAA Season 101 men's volleyball finals on Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
The Blazing Spikers leaned on usual suspects Reymark Betco and Rocky Motol to drag the Cardinals to a sudden death Game 3 set on Friday at the same venue.
Betco had another massive offensive masterclass after detonating for 33 points, while Motol erupted for 18 points to steer Benilde to its breakthrough win against Mapua this season.
Before this match, the Blazing Spikers did not score a victory over the Cardinals after losing twice in their two group stage matches and bowing in Game 1 of the finals.
"Connection, usap, tsaka teamwork at higit sa lahat, pasensiya," Betco shared on what changed this game that paved the way for finally solving the Mapua puzzle.
"Sabi nga ni coach, bakit naging gano'ng 'yung laro namin sa third and fourth sets. Kaya pagtungtong ng fifth set, sabi ni coach na push na 'yan. Ginawa lang din namin 'yung trabaho namin."
Facing what could have been their final game of the season, the Blazing Spikers refused to bow out just yet.
The trio of Betco, Motol, and middle blocker Mike Balbacal delivered punishing blows for Benilde in the first two sets, completely disrupting the Cardinals’ rhythm and taking them out of their game.
But Mapua, known for its no-quit mentality, clawed its way back in the next two sets behind Barbie San Andres, Arjay Ramos, and Adrian Musni as it all boiled down to a deciding Set 5.
San Andres opened the scoring in the final frame, but Benilde was quick to get things together with Betco scoring three points as part of a 5-1 rampage that allowed the Blazing Spikers to create separation from the Cardinals.
A service ace by Balbacal and a hit from Motol gave Benilde a huge 8-2 cushion before the change-over. San Andres continued to pump life back to Mapua with two attacks, but Benilde setter Chris Villanueva denied him on the next play as the Taft crew raced to a 12-5 lead.
Betco then changed his tempo mid-air and caught Mapua's defense napping with an off-speed kill that clinched the match point for Benilde, 14-8, before Motol took advantage of a single block to finish it off.
Despite the loss, Mapua got solid numbers from Ramos and San Andres after the veteran outside spikers poured in 20 and 18 points apiece while PJ Reyes posted 13 markers.
Benilde and Mapua return to square one as they clash in a decisive Game 3 two days from now.
—JMB, GMA News
