GAMES TODAY
(Filoil Flying V Arena)
12:45 p.m.—Ateneo vs SSC
3 p.m—NU vs University of Batangas
5 p.m.—FEU vs Arellano
ST. BENILDE denied Technological Institute of the Philippines a shot at another big comeback to forge a 25-16, 25-21,19-25, 25-22 triumph and grab the Group B lead in the Shakey’s V-League Season 12 Collegiate Conference yesterday at Filoil Flying V Arena.
Jannine Navarro fueled the Lady Blazers’ fiery finish that halted the Lady Engineers’ bid for a repeat of their first win, where they rose from two sets down last week.
“We lost composure somewhere in the game, but the good thing is we didn’t give up and kept on fighting,” said coach Michael Cariño after his Lady Blazers picked up a second straight win.
Navarro topscored with 24 points built on 22 kills and two blocks, while Jeanette Panaga added 19 points for the Lady Blazers.
Earlier, University of Santo Tomas hacked out a 25-13, 25-12, 23-25, 25-18 victory over La Salle-Dasmariñas to pick up its first win in two games in Group B.
EJ Laure fired the match-clinching attack off two La Salle defenders to cap an 18-point performance, while Pam Lastimosa also delivered 17 points, including six aces.
The Lady Engineers, who upset the Lady Patriots, 20-25, 17-25, 25-23, 25-20, 15-8, in the opening weekend, again looked capable of pulling off a stunner when they claimed the third set and zoomed to a 10-3 lead in the fourth frame.
But Navarro sparked the Lady Blazers’ rally and Panaga, Ranya Musa and Melanie Torres also came through with key hits to help wrap up the match.
Panaga finished with 19 points, including five blocks.