College of Saint Benilde bundled out Mapua University with ease, 25-21, 25-14, 25-20, on Sunday to snag the final playoff berth in the Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Unity Cup at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Setter Zen Basilio orchestrated the Lady Blazers’ balanced scoring and anchored the team’s net defense as Benilde closed the pool play with back-to-back wins for a 2-1 card.
That was good for second in Pool B behind leader University of Santo Tomas (2-0), which is still playing also-ran Jose Rizal University at press time.
The Lady Blazers, one of only two NCAA teams to advance, joined UAAP powerhouses like five-peat-seeking National U, Far Eastern and Adamson University in Pool E.
‘I think it’s definitely a challenge and one that we’re willing to take on,’ said Basilio, who dished out 10 excellent sets and scored all her four points on kill blocks.
‘Having this chance and opportunity to play against UAAP teams, that’s a big thing for us,’ Basilio added.
Santo Tomas, University of the Philippines, Letran and Ateneo make up Pool F for the second phase, a carry-over round where teams battle for two twice-to-beat bonuses per group.