MANILA, Philippines – Defending champion St. Benilde bounced back strong from a slow start and foiled upset-conscious Letran, 25-27, 23-25, 25-22, 25-7, 15-12, yesterday to notch its second straight win in women’s play of the 92nd NCAA volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.
Last year’s Finals MVP Jeanette Panaga and Ranya Musa took turns on the firing end and finished with 19 hits apiece as they led the Lady Blazers again after teaming up in their similar come-from-behind 17-25, 25-20, 26-24, 25-17 victory over the Perpetual Help side last week.
“Credit to Letran, they played a great game and we were sluggish at the start,” said St. Benilde coach Macky Carino. “Good thing the players refused to give up and just kept on fighting.”
Led by Mikaela Lopez and Glayssa Faith Torres, the Lady Knights surprised the Lady Blazers by stealing the first two sets but cracked in a pressure-packed third set duel.