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Thursday, March 28, 2024

CSB nears NCAA Final Four berth

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COLLEGE of St. Benilde bucked a sputtering start as it turned back San Beda, 12-25, 25-17, 25-23, 25-19, yesterday to get back at second spot in the women’s section of the the 92nd NCAA volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan City.

Rachel Anne Austerio paced her team with 13 points while Jeanette Panaga, last year’s Finals MVP, Jan Arianne Daguil and Ranya Musa chipped in 11 hits apiece to help propel St. Benilde to its sixth victory against a defeat.

And another victory will ensure St. Benilde, which takes on Arellano U on Jan. 11 and unbeaten leader San Sebastian Jan. 25, at least a playoff for a slot in the Final Four while two would seal it an automatic berth there.

But San Beda appeared like it would defeat this same St. Benilde squad it beat in the Shakey’s V-League Collegiate Conference a year ago after the former dominated the latter in the first set.

San Beda College spiker Francesca Racraquin (right) avoids the blocking hands of College of Saint Benilde blocker Jeanette Panaga (6). CSB beat SBC yesterday to gain a share of second spot in NCAA women’s volleyball. Roman Prospero

But St. Benilde turned the tables on San Beda and played more aggressive from there to preserve the win.

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“We were more concerned on what San Beda is going to do than we are should do that really slowed us down in the first set. Good thing we changed our attitude and played more aggressive,” said Carino.

The Red Spikers skidded to 5-3 and out of the magic four and on the brink of elimination.

In the men’s division, Johnvic de Guzman towed St. Benilde to a 25-19, 25-23, 25-17 win over San Beda to grab the solo lead with a 6-1 mark.

The Lions slid to second with a 6-2 card.

St. Benilde thus kept pace with Lyceum of the Philippines U which bucked the Holiday Season jitters and downed Emilio Aguinaldo last Wednesday also at the Filoil Flying V Center.

Cherilyn Jhane Sindayen, the team captain, had a hard time finding her groove but still managed to score 12 points while Christine Mirales, Czarina Pauline Orros and La Rainne Fabay pinched in 12, 12 and 10 hits, respectively, to help propel the Lady Pirates to win No. 5 in six outings.

After the game, LPU coach Emil Lontoc blamed his team’s early game struggles to lack of familiarity with the court.

“Maybe the players are not that used to playing here because we never practiced in this venue not even once,” said Lontoc in Filipino. “That is why I’m planning to hold team practices here soon.”

LPU is targeting a first-ever Final Four appearance but it will have to overcome Perpetual Help (Jan. 13), Arellano U (Jan. 18) and  San Sebastian (Jan. 25)–all Final Four contenders–to accomplish the feat. 

Games Wednesday (Jan. 11)

(Filoil Flying V Center)

8 a.m.- AU vs CSB (jrs)

9:30 a.m.- AU vs CSB (m)

11 a.m.- AU vs CSB (w)

12:30 p.m.- UPHSD vs SSC (w)

2 p.m.- UPHSD vs SSC (m)

3:30 p.m.- UPHSD vs SSC (jrs)

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