St. Benilde eyes finals berth vs Perpetual Help

Games Today (The Arena, San Juan City) 10 a.m. – EAC vs Letran (Juniors) 12 noon – Perpetual vs Arellano (Juniors) 2 p.m. – St. Benilde vs Arellano (Men’s)

College of St. Benilde tries to keep its title-retention bid alive when it goes up against Arellano today for the remaining finals berth in NCAA men’s volleyball at The Arena in San Juan City.

Match is at 2 p.m. with the Blazers aiming to forge another championship duel with the University of Perpetual Help Altas, who earned an outright finals entry after sweeping the ninegame eliminations.

St. Benilde is expected to carry the momentum that won them against San Beda, 25-16, 24-26, 25-19, 20-25, 20-18, in the first stepladder semifinals match last Friday.

Isaah Arda, Francis Basilan and Jethro Orian remain the Blazers’ goto guys after conspiring for 58 points the last time, but St. Benilde mentor Arnold Laniog also wants to see the same mental toughness they showed against San Beda.

But Arellano is a force to reckon with, winning against St. Benilde, 2521, 25-17, 25-16, in their elims meeting last Jan. 29.

Currently the best defensive team by leading the blocking department, the Chiefs aim to surpass their semis finish last year with Christian Segovia and Roi Domingo leading the squad.

Meanwhile, Final Four action heats up in the juniors division with top seed Emilio Aguinaldo College battling fourth-ranked Letran in the 10 a.m. opener and No. 2 Perpetual clashing with No. 3 Arellano at 12 noon.