NCAA volleyball: St. Benilde takes solo 2nd, clips San Beda

St. Benilde Lady Blazers vs San Beda Red Spikers. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

College of St. Benilde went back to winning ways at the expense of San Beda, 12-25, 25-17, 25-23, 25-19, in the NCAA Season 92 women’s volleyball tournament Thursday at San Juan Arena.

The defending champions took solo second with a 6-1 record as they ride a two-game winning streak going into the final stretch of the eliminations.

Lady Blazers head coach Michael Cariño knows his team was in a precarious place with the Final Four picture still undecided with two games left in the elimination round.

“I told them during the Christmas break the scenario we’re in, one loss and we’re in a dangerous situation,” said Cariño.

“The pressure is on us, we’re the defending champions, and we have to defend that crown.”

Rachel Austero led the College of St. Benilde with 13 points while Jeanette Panaga, Arianne Daguil and Ranya Musa each had 11.

Francesca Raqraquin had a game-high 17 points for the Red Spikers who slipped to a 4-3 record that put them at the fourth spot.