College of St. Benilde, drawing 15 points from Jade Gentapa, put its act together in the third set then out-steadied UST in an extended fourth set skirmish to pound out a 25-17, 18-25, 25-19, 27-25 squeaker in Pool B action.
Gentapa peppered UST’s defense with 14 attack points while Mycah Go put up a sterling 13-point, 11-excellent reception, and 10-excellent dig showing to help power the reigning NCAA champions to the hard-earned victory.
“We made some adjustments in the third set. We tried out some combinations and they responded,” said CSB coach Jerry Yee, who also drew nine and six points from Gayle Pascula and Clydel Catarig, respectively.
The Golden Tigresses actually appeared headed to forcing a decider after leading by four in the fourth but Go and Chenae Basarte combined for four straight points to tie the game at 22 before Angeli Abellano put UST back on top in the ensuing play.
Catarig, however, scored an off-the-block hit then the Lady Blazers foiled their rivals’ 1-2 play to get to match point but the Tigresses tied the match again then traded hits before Gentapa scored on a combo play to put CSB back on top and Michelle Gamit stymied Imee Hernandez’s attack with a block.
Abella led UST with 17 points while Hernandez added nine hits and Ypril Tapia added eight points on top of 11 excellent digs.