Benilde completes SSL playoffs cast

College of Saint Benilde wasted no time in dispatching Mapua University, 25-21, 25-14, 25-20, to punch the last ticket to the 2026 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Unity Cup playoffs on Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Setter Zen Basilio orchestrated the Lady Blazers’ balanced scoring and anchored the team’s net defense to close the pool play with back-to-back wins.

Saint Benilde finished the group stage with a 2-1 win-loss record behind Pool B leader University of Santo Tomas (UST) (2-0), which is still playing also-ran Jose Rizal University as of press time.

The Lady Blazers, one of only two National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) teams to advance, joined University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) powerhouse teams five-peat-seeking National University, Far Eastern University and Adamson University in Pool E.

“I think it’s definitely a challenge but one that we’re willing to take on. Since it’s a young lineup, we still have a lot to prove. And having this chance and opportunity to play against UAAP teams, that’s a big thing for us. Something we can build on coming into the (NCAA) season,” said Basilio, who dished out 10 excellent sets and scored all her four points on kill blocks.

Last year’s runner-up UST, University of the Philippines, Letran and Ateneo de Manila University are in Pool F for the second phase of the league’s centerpiece competition.

The carryover round-robin second round, where teams battle for the two quarterfinals twice-to-beat advantages at stake per pool, begins next Sunday.

Camila Bartolome finished with 12 points on 10 kills and two kill blocks, Mary Grace Borromeo had seven points while Arianna Pua chipped in six points for the Lady Blazers, who frustrated the Lady Cardinals’ attackers with 11 kill blocks.

Saint Benilde ignited a decisive 8-2 run to shatter a 12-12 deadlock to take control of the third set. The Lady Blazers opened a 23-16 gap before Mapua scored consecutive points to trim its deficit to five.

Mhonniecka Soliven pushed Saint Benilde at match point but the Lady Cardinals refused to go down without a fight, saving two points. Bartolome ended the struggle with a strong left corner attack.

Mapua closed its campaign with a 1-2 slate.

Zyra Morales and Freighanne Garcia logged nine and seven points, respectively, for the Lady Cardinals.

Meanwhile, San Beda University saved some measure of pride after beating Arellano University, 23-25, 25-19, 25-19, 25-23, to end its campaign on a winning note.