Wildcats foil Blazers, stay in hunt

Games on Monday: 1 p.m. – FEU vs St. Benilde

3 p.m. – Ateneo vs NU

MANILA, Philippines - National College of Business and Arts battled back from two sets down then outlasted St. Benilde in an extended fifth set to hack out a gripping 19-25, 16-25, 25-18, 27-25, 19-17 victory and remain in the thick of the semis race in the Spikers’ Turf Season 1-Collegiate Conference at The Arena in San Juan City yesterday.

The grueling two-hour win tied NCBA with Emilio Aguinaldo College at fourth at 3-3. More importantly, it boosted the Wildcats’ confidence heading to their final match against the also-ran UP Maroons next Wednesday.

National U warded off La Salle, 27-25, 21-25, 25-22, 25-18, later in the night to match Ateneo’s 6-0 card while sending the race for the two other semis slots wide open among EAC, NCBA and La Salle.

The loss was the Archers third against three wins as they dropped to joint third with the Wildcats and the Generals with two playdates left in the quarterfinal round of the tournament presented by PLDT Home Ultera and backed by Mikasa.

“My players never gave up and showed toughness and that gave us a chance to steal this win,” said NCBA coach Ernesto Balubar.

Reyson Fuentes unloaded 24 hits, including five blocks, while Jason Canlas, John Domingo and CJ Oclima backed him up with 16, 13 and 11 points, respectively, for the Wildcats, who fought the Blazers practically on even terms.