College of St. Benilde ended Emilio Aguinaldo College’s upset ways as it hacked out a 25-18, 25-23, 25-20 victory yesterday to book the last bus to the finals against defending champion University of Perpetual Help System Dalta in the men’s division of the 94th NCAA volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Power-spiking Rubince Abrot led the way with 12 points including 11 on kills as the Blazers made their way back to the finals since making it that far and winning it all two seasons ago.
CSB also arranged an intriguing title-showdown with UPHD, which swept the elimination round in nine games to zoom straight to the finals, in a best-of-three showdown starting on Friday.
Game Two is set on Feb. 8 while a decider, if necessary, is on Feb. 12.
Earlier, Letran outlasted Lyceum of the Philippines University, 30-28, 25-21, 25-20, to snare the other berth to the finals where it will tackle five-peat-seeking UPHSD.
The Junior Altas also swept their way to finals and will have a chance at extending their title reign to five years and pocket their 11th title overall.
Christian Wilsan dela Cruz went on a spiking spree with 21 points while Mark Denver Omega, Cedric Resty Lim and Lenard Santiago scattered 13, 11 and 10 hits, respectively, to help the Squires get the triumph.
Meanwhile, San Beda University turned back Arellano University, 1-0, yesterday to reign supreme in seniors’ division of the NCAA football tournament at the Philippine Football Federation Training Center inside the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite.
Jessie Semblante, a former goal-keeper during his high school days and who first learned the sport playing in Don Bosco in LIloan, Cebu, delivered the championship-clinching goal off a penalty kick on the 87th minute to hand the Red Booters the title.
It was San Beda’s 21st crown that tied it with La Salle, a former member, as the winningest college football schools in the league.
San Beda wasn’t as fortunate in the juniors’ section as it was dethroned by Arellano University with a 1-0 victory earlier.
Jimmen Catap scored a goal on the 22nd minute in the first half that turned out critical as it sealed the Braves their very first championship in high school football since they joined the league almost a decade back.
It was also Catap who drew the ire of San Beda goalie Chevy Celeste, who was ejected for a dirty tackle on the former on the 76th minute.
The Cubs were never the same from there as the Braves hung tough enough to preserve the win and their first-ever crown.