The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Lady Blazers fended off the Enderun Colleges (EC) Lady Titans, 3-2, in the 2023 V-League Collegiate Challenge today, Sept. 17, at the Paco Arena Events and Sports Center.
Consecutive errors by the Lady Titans and a series of successful attacks by the Lady Blazers created an early cushion between both teams, with the Taft squad up by five, 8-3. After the short intermission, Zamantha Nolasco continued her fine play in the tournament, after two sharp spikes through the Lady Titans’ defense to extend the Lady Blazers lead to eight, 11-3. The ladies in green and white buckled on to the momentum and would continue to attack the Lady Titans’ defense to win the set, 25-17.
A rough start by the Lady Blazers highlighted the early minutes of the second set, as the Lady Titans capitalized on the errors of the Taft squad to take an early four point lead, 2-6. Mitch Gamit and Clydel Catarig slowly steered the wheel for the Lady Blazers, although Erika Deloria answered the call for the Lady Titans after consecutive hits to extend their lead to five, 7-12. The Taft squad continued to struggle in the set and couldn’t find their mark as the Lady Titans evened the ball game after a dominant set, 20-25.
In the third set, the Lady Blazers exhibited a masterclass over the Lady Titans, headed by Gamit and Nolasco who propelled the Taft squad to an early five point lead, 8-3. Coreen Apostol joined the mix piling up points to the Lady Blazers lead after a series of blocks and successful hits extending the lead to eight, 14-6. The Lady Titans showed flashes of a comeback, but Cloanne Mondonedo and Jade Gentapa made sure to bring the win to the green and white side after powering the offense of the Lady Blazers, 25-10.
In the fourth set, the Lady Blazers looked to close out the ball game and add another win to their record. Leading for most of the set, up three, 24-21, in the latter period of the set, the ladies in green and white were poised to take home the win, however, the Lady Titans put on a valiant effort which led to a late meltdown by the Taft squad. The white and red side slowly clawed back into the ball game headed by Althea Botor and Deloria, which eventually resulted in the Lady Titans stealing the set and extending the ball game to a payoff set, 24-26.
In the fifth set, the Lady Titans continued their hot streak, taking a three-point lead over the Lady Blazers, 5-8. When all things seemed to go the wrong direction for the Taft squad, Gamit, Gentapa, Mondonedo and Gayle Pascual showed championship poise, leading the way for the Lady Blazers. Mondonedo stabilized the offense of the Lady Blazers which allowed Gamit, Gentapa, and Pascual to execute sharp and hard-hitting attacks. The Taft squad would come back in dominant fashion to win the ball game, 15-12.
Mondonedo was hailed player of the game after 16 excellent sets, two points, one attack and one block. Gamit, Gentapa, and Pascual end up in double figures, after scoring 10, 18 and 17 points respectively.
The Lady Blazers are set to face the University of the East (UE) Lady Red Warriors in the semi-finals at the same venue on Wednesday, Sept. 20. The game will be streamed live at the V-League website, Facebook, Youtube, and Solar Sports.
Box Scores:
DLS-CSB (3): Gentapa 18, Pascual 17, Gamit 10, Nolasco 11, Apostol 6, Densig 3, Mondonedo 2, Basarte 1, Catarig 1, Estoque 1, Ondangan 1
EC (2): Deloria 22, Botor 21, Perolino 9, Aguilar 8, Ma 6, Almendralejo 3, Alvero 1, Quiochio 1, Alba 0, Barilla 0, Dulay 0, Ramirez 0, Santos 0
