College of Saint Benilde celebrates a point against University of Batangas in the SSL National Invitationals, August 29, 2025 at the University of Batangas Millennium Gym in Batangas City. Handout/SSL
MANILA -- College of Saint Benilde opened the Batangas leg of the 2025 Shakey's Super League (SSL) National Invitationals with an emphatic victory on Friday.
The Lady Blazers powered past the University of Batangas in just three sets, 25-8, 25-17, 25-15, at the University of Batangas Millennium Gym.
Led by Rhea Densing, the reigning four-time NCAA champions peppered the Lady Brahmans with 36 kills and shut down their offense with nine kill blocks. Densing finished with 12 points built on 10 kills and two blocks.
Middle blocker Zamantha Nolasco scored four of her 11 markers from kill blocks and Shahanna Lleses added 10 points for CSB, which primed up for a much-anticipated rematch against archrival Letran on Saturday.
"Masaya naman kasi fresh pa ang mga ito galing sa ibang liga kaya nandoon pa yung kondisyon," said Lady Blazers assistant coach Onyok Getigan, who called the shots with head coach Jerry Yee yet to arrive from a previous commitment.
Getigan had the luxury of fielding his bench with his starters able to build significant separations in each frame.
"'Yun nga ang sabi ko sa mga bata na i-maintain na nila kung ano ang ginagawa nila para 'yung mga rookie kahit papaano maipasok isa-isa. Kasi 'yun din ang habol namin na na-expose din ang iba bago mag-NCAA," he said.
"D'yan kasi kumukuha ng kompiyansa ang mga bata kapag binigyan mo ng pagkakataon na maglaro papasok sa isip nila na kailangan sila ng team at talagang gagalaw sila."
CSB got a scare in the third set after UB closed in, 19-15, but was quick to restore order with a closing 6-0 run capped by back-to-back hits by Fionna Innocentes.
Riza Drice was the only Lady Brahmans player in double figures with 10 points off eight attacks and two aces. Kylie Macatangay and Stephanie Almaria had four and three markers, respectively.
UB lost open hitter Jaimee Bacolod after spraining her right ankle in the second set following an awkward landing off a jump serve.
The Lady Brahmans will take on Far Eastern University in Day 2 of the tournament, which has Asics, Mikasa, Smart Sports, F2 Logistics, Team Rebel Sports, Belo Deo, SM Tickets and PusoP.com as technical partners.