St. Benilde, San Beda survive NCAA volley thrillers

MANILA, Philippines — St. Benilde rallied from a set down as it edged upset-conscious Emilio Aguinaldo, 25-17, 18-25, 21-25, 25-18, 15-7, to keep its place in the magic four in the women’s division of the 93rd NCAA volleyball tournament at the Filoil Arena in San Juan City Monday.

 

Rachelle Anne Austero and captain Ranya Musa fired 17 and 15 points, respectively, including clutch hits in the last two sets when the Lady Blazers fought back, to snare their third win against two losses and solo fourth spot behind Arellano U (5-0), San Beda (4-0) and Perpetual Help (4-1).

 

CSB also snapped out from a two-game skid following stinging defeats to San Beda, 22-25, 26-24, 25-27, 19-25, and San Sebastian, 25-23, 23-25, 19-25, 23-25.

 

Despite the win, CSB coach Arnold Laniog was more concerned of the 48 errors his team committed.

 

“I’m concerned with our errors. In this game, we gave EAC confidence with our errors,” said Laniog.

 

The Lady Generals fell to their fifth defeat, including one against the Lady Altas that also went the full route, 25-22, 19-25, 14-25, 25-23, 13-15.

 

In the men’s division, Laniog also steered CSB to a come-from-behind 19-25, 20-25, 25-7, 25-14, 15-11 win over EAC to improve to 4-1.

 

The Generals slid to 2-3.

 

In the other game, San Beda overcame a pesky Letran, 17-25, 25-15, 25-16, 27-29, 15-12, to grab a share of the lead with Arellano University with five wins each.

 

Cesca Racraquin continued to make a case for the MVP award as she led her team with 17 points, including 14 on kills, while playing solid floor defense with 13 digs and nine receptions.

 

The Lady Knights absorbed their third defeat against two triumphs.