MANILA — College of Saint Benilde punched its ticket to the semifinals of the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge after a 16–25, 25–18, 25–14, 25–20 win over De La Salle University on Sunday at the Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.
The Blazers needed to win in four sets or fewer, and they got the job done despite once again dropping the opening set — an issue that has hounded them throughout the tournament.
Head coach Arnold Laniog gambled on substitute setter Al Rabanes and he delivered, finding Benilde's attackers at crucial moments, especially when the Green Spikers threatened to jeopardize the Blazers' semifinal berth.
CSB setter Al Rabanes gestures during their game against La Salle in the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge, September 27, 2026 at the Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City. PVL Media
Tied at 13-all, Reymark Betco and JV Estrada combined to rebuild a three-point cushion for Benilde at 16–13.
From there, the Blazers traded points with DLSU before Mike Balbacal closed out the match with back-to-back quick middle kills, sending Benilde into its first-ever V-League playoff appearance.
"Sabi ko nga, ano nang nangyayari at hindi tayo manalo ng first set? Pag first set, controlled tayo ng kalaban at ang layo. Buti na lang second set nakuha, third set nagkuha. Sabi ko, expect niyo fourth set, mag-all out 'yan. Pero good thing, na-control at napanalo," said Laniog.
"Happy na makapasok for the first time sa semis. Before maganda naman standing, pero nadadali sa quotient. Ngayon kami naman nakapasok dahil sa quotient. I'm happy lang sa response na kung ano 'yung gusto nation, nakuha natin," Laniog added.
Rabanes finished with 12 excellent sets off the bench, picking up where captain and starting setter Chris Villanueva left off. The converted playmaker also chipped in three points and one dig.
Betco led all scorers with 20 points, while fellow winger Rocky Motol added 15 markers. Balbacal also came off the bench and finished with eight points, including the match-clinching kills.
DLSU, meanwhile, will miss the semifinals for the first time since the league's reinstatement, finishing the elimination round with a 2–5 record.
Yoyong Mendoza came out firing and led the Green Spikers early, but was eventually limited to 17 points by the Benilde defense. Arjay Magallanes took charge late and finished with 12 points, but his effort was not enough to prevent DLSU from bowing out without a win.