Lady Blazers score payback

College of Saint Benilde got one back against its recent National Collegiate Athletic Association finals tormentor, Letran College, scoring a bounce-back four-set victory, 25-19, 18-25, 25-21, 25-18, in the V-League Collegiate Challenge on Sunday at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.

The Lady Blazers got into the win column after an opening-day defeat to University of the East, overcoming a second-set setback to finish the match in just one hour and 37 minutes.

Saint Benilde leaned on a dominant fourth set, racing to a nine-point lead at 17-8 and never looking back, even as Letran found its second wind and mounted a late comeback attempt.

“The adjustments are minimal, just rotating players, that's all. What we’re really after is giving everyone exposure to just play," Saint Benilde head coach Jerry Yee said.

“Not yet, they're still raw; we aren't satisfied yet. But that's just how it is, we need to be patient."

Middle blockers Arianna Pua and Fionna Inocentes led the Lady Blazers, who are entering the post-Zam Nolasco era. Pua finished with 19 points on 13 kills, including two timely hits in the fourth set, along with three blocks and three service aces, while Inocentes added seven markers.

Grace Borromeo and Mhonniecka Soliven chipped in 10 points apiece, while captain Zen Basilio tallied 13 excellent sets.

Judiel Nitura exploded for 18 points in her season debut for Letran, while Rheina Merwa added 16.