The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Lady Blazers failed to bag bronze against the Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU) Lady Eagles, 20-25, 14-25, 25-22, 19-25, in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Collegiate Conference best-of-three series, earlier today, October 12, at the FilOil Flying V Centre, San Juan.

Photo by Anne Valmeo

The Lady Blazers had a tough start after young blood Faith Nisperos fired two straight points in the start of the match. On the other hand, the Taft squad had unforced errors and spotty floor defense, making it easier for the Katipunan squad to close the first set with Lady Eagles team captain Pauline Gaston and Jules Samonte on deck, 20-25.

Prompting a solid rock defense, the Lady Blazers attempted to demolish Nisperos in the second set with Klarisa Abriam’s blocks and Gayle Pascual’s attacks but failed as she ended the second set with a sharp spike, 25-14.

At the start of the third canto, Lady Blazer Jade Gentapa gave her team the first point after a four-point lead by the Lady Eagles. The ladies in green and white took advantage of Lady Eagle Janel Maraguinot’s substitution and delivered consistent and successful blocks and spikes. Meanwhile, the combined efforts of Lady Blazers Cloanne Mondonedo and Michelle Gamit surprised the Lady Eagles with service aces. The ladies in blue and white scrambled at the defense to which Pascual took advantage of as she blazed her sharp spikes and attacks, 25-22.

Photo by Anne Valmeo

Sealing the fourth set for bronze, Lady Eagle Joan Narit found an open space to put a halt to the short rally as she made the score into 24-18. Eventually, the game ended as Lady Blazer Kila Miranda tried to stop the bleeding with her outside spike, 25-19.

Looking towards Unigames

In an interview with The Benildean, coach Jerry Yee mentioned his Lady Blazers made a good play this season and it’s a positive thing for his team as they made into the final four.

“Today was parang exposure day for the second group, so maganda ang response nila noong naglaro na sila and ‘di naman tayo bumitaw in the fourth set, positive ‘yun for us, considering yung competition na nakakalaro natin sa league ang FEU, UST, Adamson, Ateneo. Lahat naman ng games natin maganda,” he said.

He also mentioned the Lady Blazers will be participating in the upcoming Unigames Collection Collegiate Grand Slam Cup alongside other Benildean teams on October 19 to 27, which will be hosted by the University of San Agustin, Iloilo City.

PVL wrap up

The Adamson University (AdU) Lady Falcons were hailed champions while the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses bagged first runner-up.

Awards were also given to the players who had performed extraordinarily during the conference. 

The winners are as follows:

1st Best Outside Spiker – Trisha Mae Genesis (AdU)

2nd Best Outside Spiker – Faith Janine Sherley Nisperos (ADMU)

1st Best Middle Blocker – Lorene Grace Toring (AdU)

2nd Best Middle Blocker – Imee Hernandez (UST)

Best Opposite Spiker – Klarisa Abriam (DLS-CSB)

Best Setter – Janel Maraguinot (ADMU)

Best Libero – Arianne Daguil (DLS-CSB)

Most Valuable Player of the Conference – Trisha Mae Genesis (AdU)

Most Valuable Player of the Finals – Louie Romero (AdU)

Box scores: 

DLS-CSB (1): Pascual 11, Gentapa 8, Ventura 7, Abriam 6, Gamit 6, Pablo 4, Mondonedo 2, Umali 1, Lai 0, Sulit 0, Go 0, Tumang 0, Daguil 0

ADMU (3): Nisperos 21, Samonte 16, Gaston 12, Narit 12, Gandler 8, Maraguinot 4, Raagas 3, Ravena 0, Navaro 0, Parale 0, Coloso 0, Doromal 0, Licauco 0, Mercado 0