College of Saint Benilde overcame a first-set setback and fatigue to turn back Arellano University in five thrilling sets, 25–22, 22–25, 25–20, 22–25, 15–11, in the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge on Saturday at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.
Coming off a four-set, 19–25, 25–22, 25–21, 25–21 victory over Mapua University less than 24 hours earlier, the Blazers showed their championship composure to finish their weekend swing with a 2–0 record and take the solo lead.
“Mindset lang yan eh; given na malalakas naman yung katawan ng mga bata. Yung mindset kung paanong magre-respond don sa uncomfortable situation,” said longtime head coach Arnold Laniog.
Benilde appeared poised to close out the match in the fourth set after building a 19–16 lead, but Jiwen Sinuto and the rest of the Chiefs rallied to steal the nearly 40-minute frame and force a decider.
Reymark Betco then poured in most of his team-high 27 points in the fifth set to keep Arellano at bay and steer the Blazers to victory.
Rocky Motol added 24 markers, making up for his miscues in the fourth set with timely hits in the decider, while Chris Villanueva orchestrated Benilde’s offense with 30 excellent sets and two points.
“Tingin ko nakatulong yung core ko last year sa NC na most of the fifth sets namin napanalo,” Laniog also shared.
The Blazers will aim for a third straight win against fellow NCAA side Colegio de San Juan de Letran (1–1) on Saturday at 3 p.m.
Sinuto led Arellano with 18 points on 16 attacks and two blocks, while team captain Daniel Agovida added 13 points on nine kills and four rejections.
The Chiefs, who dropped to an even 1–1 record, will look to bounce back against the University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers (0–2) later that day at 5 p.m., still at the same Mandaluyong venue.
