The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Blazers outgunned the Arellano University (AU) Chiefs in straight sets, 25-20, 25-16, 25-16, gaining their first win in NCAA Season 94 earlier today, November 27, at the FilOil Flying-V Center, San Juan.

The first set was a battle of intimidation by both teams. Entering the game as second placers last season, the Chiefs aimed to start strong, but ended up being overpowered by the Taft squad, 25-20.

In the second set, the Chiefs wanted to shift the momentum by forging a deadlock at 15-all, but the Blazers maximized their opponents’ meltdown and pulled away, 25-16.

The third and final set saw an inspired Ruvince Abrot finishing with 19 points, which became instrumental in securing a win over the Chiefs, 25-16.

Taft Tower Joshua de Sequerra’s attacks and timed blockings contributed to his eight points, while Anthony Bautista and Team Captain Francis Basilan scored four and five points respectively.

Meanwhile, playmaker Kevin Magsino aided with 18 excellent sets, establishing combination plays that perplexed the defense of the Chiefs, with Blazer Roniey Adviento helping with his seven markers. Arellano skipper Christian Dela Paz answered with 16 attacks but failed to outsmart the boys in green and white.

The Blazers will face the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights (0-1) on Friday, November 30, at the same venue.

Box scores:
DLS-CSB (3): Abrot 19, De Sequerra 8, Adviento 7, Basilan 5, Bautista 4, Magsino 2, Daculan 2, Bacani 2, Gauanie 1

AU (0): Dela Paz 13, Liberato 6, Encila 4, Lapuz 3, Cabillan 2, Segovia 2, Villados 1, Caccam 1, Manalansan 1