Text and photo by Rey Nillama
MANILA, Philippines — College of Saint Benilde turned back Mapua University in straight sets to claim the last playoff berth in the 2026 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Unity Cup at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum on Sunday.
The Lady Blazers delivered a 25-21, 25-14, 25-20 victory over the Lady Cardinals, using a balanced scoring attack and defensive pressure to seal their place in the next round.
Bartolome spearheaded the assault with 18 points, including 14 kills, three kill blocks and an ace, earning Best Player of the Game recognition.
Soliven chipped in 13 points, followed by Borromeo with 11 and Oba-ob with eight, providing the offensive support CSB needed to finish the match in three sets.
The Lady Blazers maintained control throughout the contest, particularly in the second set, when they widened the gap to take a commanding 2-0 lead.
CSB’s coach, however, cautioned the team against becoming complacent after the victory, noting that the squad had to overcome stretches when its execution was below par.
The coach said the players’ willingness to keep fighting despite those difficulties proved decisive, while emphasizing that they must sustain their intensity in the succeeding matches.
With the win, CSB advanced to the playoff stage of the Unity Cup, setting its sights on a deeper run in the tournament.
