College of St. Benilde celebrates a point against National University in the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge, September 10, 2025 at the Paco Arena Events and Sports Center in Manila. PVL Media
MANILA -- College of St. Benilde wrapped up its 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge campaign on a high note on Wednesday after completing a five-set triumph against National University.
The Blazers stunned the reigning five-time UAAP champions, 25-22, 25-22, 27-29, 15-25, 15-12, at the Paco Arena Events and Sports Center in Manila for a triumphant end to their participation in the eight-team tournament.
It marked St. Benilde's second straight victory over a UAAP contender, having pulled off an upset of defending V-League champions Far Eastern University just three days ago.
READ: St. Benilde pulls off five-set stunner against FEU
They once again leaned on the brilliance of reigning NCAA MVP Rocky Motol and Reymark Betco to shock the undermanned Bulldogs, who were playing without Buds Buddin, Jade Disquitado, Leo Ordiales, and Peng Taguibolos due to national team commitments.
Motol delivered an all-around performance with 21 points built on 18 attacks, two blocks, and an ace, while also anchoring the floor defense with 32 excellent receptions and six digs. Betco chipped in 18 points as the Blazers ended their campaign with back-to-back wins and a 3-4 record.
"Malaking boost sa morale ng team namin lalo na sa ibang players na in-eexpose ko pa. Malaking confidence booster ito para sa mga susunod na liga and sa NCAA season by beating two UAAP teams. Talagang makakapagbigay ito ng kumpiyansa sa team," Blazers head coach Arnold Laniog said.
NU raced to an early 7-5 lead in the decider, but Benilde responded with a pivotal 4-0 run—highlighted by an offspeed hit from Motol and an ace from team captain John Austero—to grab a 9-7 advantage.
The Blazers kept momentum until the 13-10 mark before the Bulldogs threatened one last time, cutting the deficit to just one, 13-12, off a Mac Bandola out-of-system hit and a Betco error.
But in the endgame, Benilde's composure carried the day. A Motol backrow kill and an Austero running attack sealed the Blazers' second straight victory in exactly two hours of action.
Mike Balbacal contributed 13 points on 10 attacks, two blocks, and an ace, while Paul Jordan added 12. Setter Chris Villanueva steered the offense with 31 excellent sets and also scored three points, as Austero pitched in six markers.
On the other side, NU absorbed its second straight loss, dropping to 2-4 ahead of its final match against the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights on Monday, Sept. 29, at the Filoil Centre.
Coincidentally, it marked the Bulldogs' first loss to an NCAA squad in exactly two years. The last time that they lost to an NCAA squad was on September 10, 2023, when they fell to the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta in four sets.
Bandola paced NU with 18 points on 17 attacks alongside five excellent receptions, while rookie hitter Luke Macatangay finished with 17 points on 15 attacks and eight receptions. Jan Abanilla added 15 points, and foreign student-athlete Obed Mukaba contributed 13 in the losing cause.