Benilde Lady Blazers complete 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.

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

The Lady Blazers, one of only two NCAA teams to advance, joined 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 University of Santo Tomas, University of the Philippines, Letran and Ateneo De Manila University are in Pool F for the second phase of the league’s centerpiece competition, backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner and R&B Milk Tea.   

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 markers while Arianna Pua chipped in six points for the Lady Blazers, who frustrated the Lady Cardinals' attackers with 11 kill blocks.

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.

All games in the competition are available live and on demand via PusoP.com and Solar Sports.