Defending champs try to stay in contention

Defending champion St. Benilde pushes its luck further when it takes on Arellano on Friday in the second stage of their stepladder semifinals in the NCAA women’s volleyball at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

Having hurdled San Beda in the first stage, the Lady Blazers will try to breach through the Lady Chiefs’ twice-to-beat armor and inch closer to the championship round with unbeaten San Sebastian.

But there’s no buffer for St. Benilde as a defeat would mean automatic final entry for Arellano, which prevailed in their eliminations game, 25-21, 25-21, 25-21.

Perpetual and St. Benilde begin their best-of-three finals in the men’s division.

In juniors action, reigning titlist Perpetual Help and Emilio Aguinaldo collide one final time for the right to face Lyceum in the finals.