COLLEGE of St. Benilde (CSB) aims to keep a firmer grip of the lead while San Sebastian College – Recoletos (SSC-R) hopes to grab a piece of it as the two collide on Friday in a clash of the league titans in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 97 volleyball at the Paco Arena.
The Lady Blazers have been unflappable at the helm after hurdling their first five assignments including a 25-17, 25-11, 25-12 rout of the Mapua Lady Cardinals on Tuesday and could solidify its grip of the top spot with another win at 12 p.m. against the Lady Stags.
SSC, for its part, has shown it has the tools and talent to challenge for the crown this season as seen in its strong 4-1 start that included two character-building, come-from-behind five-set wins — the last coming at the expense of University of Perpetual Help in a 24-26, 26-28, 25-20, 25-20, 17-15 squeaker on Sunday.
CSB coach Jerry Yee said they have prepared hard for this game.
“We just worked and prepared hard every game,” said Mr. Yee.
The Lady Stags are expected to ride on the shoulders of their top two hitters — MVP candidates Reyann Cañete and Katherine Santos.
Mses. Cañete and Santos, a super-rookie, have been leading the league in scoring after piling up a total of 95 and 84 points, respectively.
But SSC coach Roger Gorayeb knows it would take nerves of steal to beat CSB.
“We just have to be consistent and tough for us to have a chance this year,” said Mr. Gorayeb, the most titled among all NCAA coaches with 21 titles in women’s division alone.
Meanwhile, Mapua (3-2) battles San Beda (1-4) at 2:30 p.m. — Joey Villar