Lady Blazers, Lady Bombers score 5-setter wins

MANILA, Philippines — St. Benilde nipped San Sebastian, 14-25, 25-21, 21-25, 25-21, 15-13, Thursday to regain top spot  in the NCAA season 89 women’s volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.

The Lady Blazers faced a one set deficit and a 6-11 hole in the fourth set, but were still able to chalk up their fourth victory in as many matches and their best start since 1998.

Jannine Navarro and Therese Veronas both had tremendous performances for St. Benilde, which is trying to barge back into the final four after missing it last year.

Navarro pumped all of her 25 points from attacks, while Veronas contributed 22 points, including three blocks and three service aces.

The Lady Stags, meanwhile, absorbed their first loss in four starts to join idle Arellano University in third place, leaving San Beda College in solo second at 3-0.

Gretchel Soltones had 24 points and eight digs while Czarina Berbano added 14 hits and rookie libero Alyssa Eroa had tournament-best 24 digs for San Sebastian in a losing effort.

In the other game, Jose Rizal University pulled off a stunner, rallying from two sets down to nose out Letran, 13-25, 23-25, 25-14, 25-23, 15-13, for their first win of the season.

Rosalie Pepito had two blocks for a 21-point outing, while Leala Lopez chipped in 14 hits for the Lady Bombers, who improved to 1-3 slate.

Mikaela Lopez drilled in 20 hits, while Angelica Macabalitao added 19 points, including five blocks for the Lady Knights, who  committed a staggering 43 errors.