The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Blazing Spikers claimed the silver medal in the NCAA Season 100 Men’s Beach Volleyball Tournament on Feb. 4 to 9 at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Sand Court in Subic Bay, Zambales.
The Taft Squad, consisting of James Harold Marasigan, Kevin Jonathan Ondevilla, and team captain Leonard Van Jaboli, had a shaky start in the eliminations, suffering a double whammy against the defending champion, the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA (UPHSD) Altas, 0-2, and another defeat courtesy of the Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) Generals, 1-2.
After a cold tournament opening, Benilde retaliated by sweeping the San Beda University (SBU) Red Lions, 2-0, followed by a hard-fought victory against the Colegio de San Juan de Letrán (CSJL) Knights, 2-1. Momentum continued to side with the Blazing Spikers as they extended their winning streak against the Mapua University (MU) Cardinals and the Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) Pirates with 2-0 victories.
The Jose Rizal University (JRU) Heavy Bombers put up a challenge but they got steamrolled, 2-1, by a relentless Taft squad. The Blazing Spikers ultimately sealed their elimination campaign with perfect sweeps against the Arellano University (AU) Chiefs and the San Sebastian College-Recoletos (SSC-R) Stags, both 2-0.
The men in green and white then dismantled the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA (UPHSD) Altas’ bid to defend their title on the sand. The Las Piñas squad had a twice-to-beat advantage placing them in a comfortable spot for a finals appearance, however, the Taft Squad were in full throttle and forced a grudge match, 25-27, 21-19, 16-14. In a do-or-die match, the Blazing Spikers toppled the Altas, 2-0, to secure a finals appearance.
The Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) Generals stood in the way of the Benilde battalion as they attempted to claim their 8th gold in beach volleyball. However, the men in red fortified their footing to blow out the Blazing Spikers, 0-2.
The Blazing Spikers clinched the second spot on the podium with an impressive 9-3 win record in their Season 100 campaign.
