Lady Generals stun Lady Blazers in 86th NCAA volleyball tournament

Emilio Aguinaldo College scored a surprising five-set victory over four-time losing finalist College of Saint Benilde, 21-25, 25-20, 25-15, 23-25, 15-8 Saturday in the 87th NCAA women’s volleyball tournament at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.   The Lady Generals bounced back from an opening set loss, winning the next two to move closer of clinching a morale-boosting win early in the season.   CSB had a strong start in the fourth to enjoy a 10-6 lead, which was easily wiped out by the combined efforts of Charmille Belleza and Arianne Angustia for a 19-15 EAC advantage.   But the Lady Blazers, behind veteran Cindy Optana with Cindy Valencia and Janine Navarro, came charging back to take a 24-22 edge before Maureen Loren sealed CSB’s fourth-set victory with a kill to tie the contest at 2-2.   The Lady Generals, however, won’t be denied of the win as they capitalized on the Lady Blazers’ erratic game to zoom to a 12-3 lead and never looked back. Angustia sealed EAC’s win with a block on Navarro. In the other women's match, season host University of Perpetual Help held Mapua to one point in the first set in a dominating 25-1, 25-17, 25-9 decision for their second straight win and the solo lead. The EAC Brigadiers made it a twin kill after sweeping Season 86 losing finalist Junior CSB-La Salle Greenhills Junior Blazers, 25-8, 25-11, 25-14.   CSB’s men’s squad prevented a shutout as the Blazers escaped with a thrilling 25-15, 15-25, 25-23, 22-25, 15-9 triumph over the Generals. Reigning men's titlist Perpetual Help Altas also scored a straight-set 25-9, 25-11, 25-15 win over the Cardinals. — JVP, GMA News