The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) men’s and women's beach volleyball teams tallied a fair share of wins on the first day of the NCAA Season 98 beach volleyball tournament today, Jan. 17, at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone Sports Complex.
The Lady Blazers were the first to set foot on the sands against the hosts, the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta (UPHSD) Lady Altas. The Lady Blazers, reinforced by Jessa Dorog, Wielyn Estoque, and Angelika Mondejar, opened the tournament in a crumbling state. The Lady Altas maneuvered the tempo of the game, not giving the Lady Blazers a lead opportunity within two sets, 12-21 and 14-21. Estoque handled an efficient outing with clean attacks and aces, but unforced errors would completely set the tone down for the ladies in green and white. The match ended in a sweep, 0-2, by the Lady Altas.
The Lady Blazers would then face the Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) Lady Pirates. Coming off a big loss, the Lady Blazers put in a close fight against the Lady Pirates in the first set of the match. Dorog led the scoring for the first period as they pushed off the Lady Pirates, 22-20. Estoque made her presence felt during the second set of the match with clean drops and attacks. Hindered by fatigue, the Lady Pirates were out of momentum in the last minutes of the game, as they committed several errors that gave the Lady Blazers a win, after the second set ended in favor of the Benilde squad, 21-18.
For the last match of the Lady Blazers, the ladies in green and white faced the San Sebastian College-Recoletos (SSC-R) Lady Stags. The first set was easily handled by the Lady Blazers with Dorog setting the tone in the first half. Estoque ignited in the second half, preventing the Lady Stags from coming back. The opener ended in the hands of the Lady Blazers, 21-16. The second set was an Estoque show, giving attacks and reading the other team's offense. However, unforced errors slow the tempo down in the second half of the second set which triggers fatigue in the players. Dorog ended the game, 21-15. The Lady Blazers won the game with another clean sweep, 2-0.
Meanwhile, the men’s squad started their campaign against the LPU Pirates, in a simultaneous game with the Lady Blazers and the Lady Pirates. The Benilde Blazers, manned by Reiven Valera, Leonard Van Jaboli, and Jacob Herrera, were off the line during the first half of the opening set as the Pirates controlled the game on most of the set. The opponent's continuous scoring would halt when Jaboli ignited with his own scoring spree. The first set was handed to the Blazers, 22-20. The second set started with Jaboli's unfinished scoring spree that eventually led to the Blazers' control of the game. The second set was filled with attacks as the Blazers displayed their expertise in every successful attack they attempted. Valera led the tally for the Benilde Blazers and finished things off for the Benilde squad in the closing set. The game ended in the second set, 21-18, by the Blazers.
In to the men's second joust, they faced off the SSC-R Golden Stags, hoping to end the tournament opener in a winning streak. The Benilde Blazers executed a positive momentum during the first set, with the duo of Valera and Jaboli equally contributing to the first set of the game. The opening set was captured by the Blazers, 21-18. The second set displayed a different story. It was a battle of rallies with both teams showing a tough competition. The second set ended in an exclamatory tally of 30-28, in favor of Benilde. The Blazers won the game in a successful sweep, 2-0.
The Benilde Blazers are now 2-0 in standings, while the Lady Blazers have a 2-1 record on the first day of the NCAA Season 98 beach volleyball competition.
Catch the Lady Blazers and the Benilde Blazers in their upcoming matches via GTV channel, NCAA Philippines Youtube Channel and Facebook page, and GMA Sports PH Facebook page. The competition will last until Jan. 21 at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone Sports Complex.
