COLLEGE of Saint Benilde yielded a set for the first time this season but still came through with a 25-14, 17-25, 25-11, 25-15 victory over Letran in the NCAA women’s volleyball tournament yesterday at the Paco Arena.

The Lady Blazers regrouped in the third and fourth set after the Lady Knights, who led by as much as 10 points in the second, leveled to extend their perfect run to three matches.

CSB became alone on top as Mapua posted its second straight win at the expense of erstwhile unbeaten Jose Rizal University, 25-14, 25-23, 25-17, in the curtain-raiser.

Mycah Go produced a solid all-around game of 17 points, including two service aces, 17 digs and 14 receptions, while Jade Gentapa and Gayle Pascual added 15 and 13 points, respectively, for the Lady Blazers.

Shereena Urmeneta scored 12 kills while Cha Cuñada chipped in nine markers, including two service aces for Letran, which remained winless in three contests to join idle San Beda at the bottom of the standings.

Tere Manalo and Nicole Ong combined for 20 of the Lady Cardinals’ 38 attacks, as coach Aying Esteban’s side proved that they are no pushovers.

Mapua easily surpassed one-win campaign in the 2020 season which was cut short due to the pandemic.

“Nakikita ko sa mga bata yung eagerness na manalo. Every game na ginagawa namin is talagang pinaghahandaan namin, kung ano yung strategies, kung ano ‘yung possible naming gawin para matalo yung kalaban namin,” said Esteban.

“Lahat naman iyon lumalabas sa game, yun yung maganda sa mga players ko.”

Manalo and Ong each had 11 points, Carla Gaudan had two service aces to finish with nine points, while Jonina Fernandez also fired two service winners for a seven-point outing for the Lady Cardinals.

Sydney Riegos had seven points, while Dolly Verzosa also scored seven to go with eight receptions for the Lady Bombers, who could only muster 21 attacks in the one-hour, 21-minute contest.

JRU gave Mapua fits late in the second set, as Verzosa’s kill tied the match at 23-23.

Princess Babiera’s spike put the Lady Cardinals at set point before the Lady Bombers failed to extend a lifeline after Niegos’s spike went wide.

Riding on the momentum of its five-set reversal of San Sebastian, Mapua was in control in the opener, as Ong ended the first set by drilling in three consecutive points.