Games Saturday:
(University of Batangas Millennium Gym)
4 p.m. — Letran vs CSB
6 p.m. — UB vs FEU
BATANGAS CITY — College of Saint Benilde made quick work of University of Batangas, 25-8, 25-17, 25-15, for a rousing start in the 2025 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals Batangas Leg on Friday, Aug. 28, at the University of Batangas Millennium Gym here.
Rhea Densing led the Lady Blazers’ relentless assault as the reigning four-time NCAA champions took advantage of their experience and firepower to dominate the Lady Brahmans in the Luzon stop of the tournament backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner and R and B Milk Tea.
CSB was in full control right from the opening serve, raining down 36 kills while frustrating UB’s hitters with its solid net defense to score nine kill blocks.
Densing finished with 12 points built on 10 kills and two blocks for the Lady Blazers.
Middle blocker Zamantha Nolasco scored four of her 11 markers from kill blocks and Shahanna Lleses added 10 points for CSB, which primed up for a much-anticipated rematch against archrival Letran on Saturday.
“Masaya naman kasi fresh pa ang mga ito galing sa ibang liga kaya nandoon pa yung kondisyon,” said Lady Blazers assistant coach Onyok Getigan, who called the shots with head coach Jerry Yee yet to arrive from a previous commitment.
Getigan had the luxury of fielding his bench with his starters able to build significant separations in each frame.
“’Yun nga ang sabi ko sa mga bata na i-maintain na nila kung ano ang ginagawa nila para ‘yung mga rookie kahit papaano maipasok isa-isa. Kasi ‘yun din ang habol namin na na-expose din ang iba bago mag-NCAA,” he said.
“D’yan kasi kumukuha ng kompiyansa ang mga bata kapag binigyan mo ng pagkakataon na maglaro papasok sa isip nila na kailangan sila ng team at talagang gagalaw sila.”
CSB got a scare in the third set after UB closed in, 19-15, but was quick to restore order with a closing 6-0 run capped by back-to-back hits by Fionna Innocentes.
Riza Drice was the only Lady Brahmans player in double figures with 10 points off eight attacks and two aces. Kylie Macatangay and Stephanie Almaria had four and three markers, respectively.
UB lost open hitter Jaimee Bacolod after spraining her right ankle in the second set following an awkward landing off a jump serve.
The Lady Brahmans will take on Far Eastern University in Day 2 of the tournament, which has Asics, Mikasa, Smart Sports, F2 Logistics, Team Rebel Sports, Belo Deo, SM Tickets and PusoP.com as technical partners.
Games are available live and on demand via PusoP.com and Solar Sports.
