COLLEGE of St. Benilde and Ateneo downed their respective rivals to jumpstart their title bids in the 2019 Premier Volleyball League Collegiate Conference yesterday at The Arena in San Juan City.
The Lady Blazers stunned last year’s runners-up Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, 28-26, 25-22, 25-17, while the Lady Eagles bested the Letran Lady Knights, 25-16, 22-25, 25-13, 25-20.
Klarisa Abriam and Chelsea Umali joined forces for the Lady Blazers with 13 and 10 points, including combined 17 kills as CSB underscored their readiness to make amends from a disappointing fifth-place finish last year.
Abriam also shone on the defensive end by making three of the team’s six blocks while Umali fired two services aces.
Jewel Lai was also instrumental in St. Benilde’s offense by converting 18 excellent sets.
FEU sorely missed the services of Lycha Ebon who is still recovering from a recent injury.
France Ronquillo and Czarina Carandang finished with 11 and 10 points in futile attempts for the Lady Tamaraws.
Meanwhile, reigning UAAP champion Ateneo showed strength in attacks (49-38) and serves (13-6) to overpower Letran.
Faith Nisperos and Vanessa Gandler spearheaded the Lady Eagles with 19 and 15 points while Erika Raagas chipped in 11 points. Gandler highlighted her performance with seven aces while Nisperos fired 17 kills.
Marie Simborio and Chamberlane Cunada finished with 16 and 12 points for the Lady Knights. (KRISTEL SATUMBAGA)
