Volleyball: CSB completes playoff cast in Unity Cup

College of Saint Benilde celebrates a point against Mapua in the SSL Unity Cup, October 18, 2026 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. Handout/Shakey’s

MANILA — College of Saint Benilde on Sunday completed the playoff cast of the 2026 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Unity Cup after a quick victory over Mapua University at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

The Lady Blazers took care of business, 25-21, 25-14, 25-20, to finish the group stage with a 2-1 win-loss record in Group B.

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.

They joined UAAP powerhouse and defending champion 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 competition.

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.

CSB ignited a decisive 8-2 run to shatter a 12-12 deadlock to take control of the third set. The Lady Blazers opened a 23-16 gap before Mapua scored consecutive points to trim its deficit to five.

Mhonniecka Soliven pushed CSB at match point but the Lady Cardinals refused to go down without a fight, saving two points. Bartolome ended the struggle with a strong left corner attack.

Mapua closed its campaign with a 1-2 slate.

Zyra Morales and Freighanne Garcia logged nine and seven points, respectively, for the Lady Cardinals.

Action between San Beda and Arellano in the SSL Unity Cup, October 18, 2026 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. Handout/Shakey’sMeanwhile, 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.

The trio of Janelle Bachar, Daisy Cagas and Paula Palma led the way as the Lady Red Spikers snapped a three-game losing skid for a 1-3 finish in Pool A.

Cagas scored 11 of her 12 points on attacks, Bachar added 12 markers on eight kills, three kill blocks and an ace while Palma scored 11 for San Beda.

The Lady Chiefs dropped their last three games after an opening day win.

Keisha Abitria was Arellano’s lone bright spot, scoring 15 points, all from attacks.