By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negrense setter Gina Espina anchored San Beda University’s offense as the Lady Red Spikers outlasted defending champion College of St. Benilde (CSB) Lady Blazers, 21-25, 25-19, 20-25, 25-18, 15-12, in the NCAA Season 101 women’s volleyball tournament at the San Andres Sports Complex on Saturday, February 14.

Espina orchestrated the attack with 24 excellent sets and added a point of her own, steering San Beda through crucial stretches of the five-set battle.

Behind her steady playmaking, the Lady Red Spikers halted Benilde’s four-game winning streak and improved to 7-1 in Group B, extending their own run to four straight victories.

The Lady Blazers held an 8-6 edge in the deciding fifth set before San Beda mounted a decisive 6-1 surge to seize a 13-9 advantage.

Angel Mae Habacon ignited the rally with consecutive hits.

A net fault briefly slowed San Beda’s momentum, and Cam Bartolome delivered a block to pull Benilde within 13-11.

However, Janelle Bachar sealed the win with back-to-back attacks.

Bachar led the Lady Red Spikers with 24 points, while Habacon added 22 markers.

For Benilde, Zam Nolasco finished with 25 points, while Clydel Catarig chipped in 16 points built on 14 attacks and two blocks as the Lady Blazers slipped to 5-2 in Group A.

In the other match, University of Perpetual Help bounced back from a previous loss with a 25-14, 24-26, 25-19, 25-22 victory over Arellano University.

Jemalyn Menor powered the Lady Altas with 26 points, while Shai Omipon contributed 12 as Perpetual improved to 6-1 in Group A.

Crisanta Servidad scored 13 points for Arellano, while Catherine Domasig tallied 17 excellent sets.

The Lady Chiefs dropped to 2-4 in Group B./ASC, WDJ