College of Saint Benilde fought back from a set down to frustrate Letran, 21-25, 25-21, 25-16, 25-17, and own Game 1 of the 2024 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals best-of-three battle for bronze series Monday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Lady Blazers shook off a rusty start before finding their groove to reassert their mastery over the same rival they defeated in the group stage.
CSB can step onto the podium lifting the third place trophy in the tournament backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Eurotel, Victory Liner, Team Rebel Sports and Mikasa with another victory over its NCAA Season 99 finals victim on Tuesday.
Opposite spiker Clydel Catarig scattered 22 points on an efficient 22-of-52 spiking clip to lead the Lady Blazers, who took advantage of the Lady Knights’ 27 errors to bounce back from a painful straight-sets loss to Far Eastern University in the knockout semifinal on Sunday.
“Bawat isa sa aming mga players na-inspired kaming bumawi kasi kahapon nu’ng natalo kami, sinabihan kami ni coach (Jerry Yee) kung anong mga kulang namin,” said Catarig.
Welyn Estoque added 15 points off nine kills, three kill blocks and three aces while Rhea Densing added 12 markers with 11 coming for spikes for CSB.
The Lady Blazers took control of the match after regrouping in the second set.
Smelling blood after a dominating third frame, CSB raced to an early lead in the fourth set that ballooned to 11 after Jessa Dorog pounded a kill that pushed the Lady Blazers at match point, 24-13.
Back-to-back CSB errors followed by consecutive hits by Gia Maquilang kept Letran in the game before Dorog halted the Lady Knights’ run with a finishing crosscourt hit.
Maquilang finished with 19 points to lead the Lady Knights. Judiel Nitura had 12 markers while Lea Tapang scored eight in a losing effort for Letran.
Meanwhile, unbeaten National University and FEU are playing in their finals series opener as of press time.
Games in the SSL National Invitationals, organized by Athletic Events and Sports Management, Inc., are available via livestream on Smart Livestream and Puso Pilipinas and Solar Sports (cable).
