Benilde blazes to V-League semis
MANILA, Philippines — College of Saint Benilde marched into the semifinals of the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge, turning back De La Salle yesterday at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.
Needing to win in four sets or fewer, the Blazers shook off what had been their curse all season long – not winning the opening set – to pull off the victory and clinch a spot in the next round, with head coach Arnold Laniog gambling on substitute setter Al Rabanes.
Rabanes delivered, finding Benilde’s attackers at crucial moments, especially when the Green Spikers threatened to jeopardize the Blazers’ semifinal berth.
Tied at 13-all, Reymark Betco and JV Estrada combined to rebuild a three-point cushion for Benilde at 16–13.
From there, the Blazers traded points with DLSU before Mike Balbacal closed out the match with back-to-back quick middle kills, sending Benilde into its first-ever V-League playoff appearance.
“Sabi ko nga, ano nang nangyayari at hindi tayo manalo ng first set? Pag first set, controlled tayo ng kalaban at ang layo. Buti na lang second set nakuha, third set nakuha. Sabi ko, expect niyo fourth set, mag-all out ‘yan. Pero good thing, na-control at napanalo,” said Laniog.
“Happy na makapasok for the first time sa semis. Before maganda naman standing, pero nadadali sa quotient. Ngayon kami naman nakapasok dahil sa quotient. I’m happy lang sa response na kung ano ‘yung gusto natin, nakuha natin,” Laniog added.
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