The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Lady Blazers took the Valentine sting as the San Beda University (SBU) Lady Spikers outlast them in a down-to-the-wire five-setter, 2-3, while the Blazers wrote back with a five-set win over the Red Spikers, 3-2, today, Feb. 14, at the San Andres Gym, Manila City.

The Lady Blazers started strong against the Lady Red Spikers with Zam Nolasco leading the way to draw first blood, 1-0. However, super duo Angel Habacon and Janelle Bachar took charge to propel the ladies in red and white to level the match, 1-1.

After exacting revenge on San Beda in the third set, 2-1, the Lady Blazers’ victory was within reach as Clydel Catarig and Cam Bartolome spearheaded a run. But the Mendiola squad forced a winner-takes-all fifth set behind Habacon and Bachar, 2-2.

When the fifth set was tied 8-8, San Beda came alive in the clutch with a 6-0 run as Bachar delivered the final point to secure the Lady Red Spikers’ first victory over the defending champions in eight years.

The Blazers struggled during the opening frame on the Taraflex as Red Spikers’ Axel Book led the offense from Mendiola, 0-1. Benilde steadied in the second set behind Mike Balbacal, Rocky Motol, and Raymark Betco as they sent their love from Taft to tie it up, 1-1.

The third canto saw the men in red and white keep up with Taft’s pace to close the gap, but Chris Villanueva swung the momentum with a service ace to put Benilde back in front, 2-1. San Beda refused to fold as Red Spikers’ Book and Alener Munsing led another assault to shrug the upset and force a fifth set, 2-2.

Benilde trailed early in the decider, until Balbacal and Motol took over the finish as the Blazers edged past the Red Spikers to close the Valentine split, 3-2.

The Benilde Blazers and Lady Blazers will clash against the Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) Generals on Feb. 20 at the same venue.

Set Scores

Lady Blazers: 25-21, 19-25, 25-20, 18-25, 12-15

Blazers: 15-25, 25-23, 28-26, 24-26, 15-13