The College of St. Benilde secure a spot on the PNVF Champions League podium.
The De La Salle-College of St. Benilde stunned the VNS Asereht Griffins, 25-18, 25-22, 26-24, to clinch bronze in the PNVF Champions League at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum Saturday.
The Blazers recovered from a straight-set semis shutout two days ago and vented their ire on the Griffins.
Arnel Aguilar poured out a game-high 19 points, none bigger than the pair of attacks he unfurled at the critical juncture of the match.
With a deadlock at 23-all, Aguilar put CSB at match point, but Luis Bartolome responded with a hit of his won to forge a two-to-win situation.
The Griffins then coughed out a fatal error, as Ralph Lacuanan botched his service attempt before Aguilar hammered down the finishing blow.
Mike Balbacal supplied 11 markers while Neil Manalo chipped in six attacks and three blocks for 12 points.
Ended the PNVF Champions League campaign with a 3-2 record, CSB managed to garner much-needed experience in the buildup to its collegiate campaign.
"Actually reward na lang 'tong nakuha namin 'yung bronze. Ang pinaka-main goal namin is to gain experience as a group kasi this is a young team," CSB head coach Arnold Laniog said.
The Griffins had no double-digit scorer in the 91-minute bout, as Kenneth Culabat and Jester Bornel paced the losing side with eight points each.