The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Lady Blazers overwhelmed the Mapua University (MU) Lady Cardinals, 3-0, to secure another win to their record in the 2023 V-League Collegiate Challenge, today, Sept. 6, at the Paco Arena Events and Sports Center. 

The first period was a nip-and-tuck affair between both squads, although despite the close start, the Lady Blazers slowly pulled away from its foe. Headed by the attacks of  Zamantha Nolasco and Jade Gentapa, the ladies in green and white pulled off a series of attacks to create a cushion over the Lady Cardinals, 16-8. Consecutive errors by the Lady Blazers helped the Lady Cardinals crawl back into the set, trimming the Taft squad’s lead to just five, 18-13. However, the Lady Blazers remained calm and composed till the end, winning the set, 25-16.

Determined to even things up, the Lady Cardinals, headed by Roxie Dela Cruz, started furious to open the set, going toe-to-toe with the Lady Blazers, 4-4. Despite the hot start, the ladies in green and white, answered back with a run of their own to cool down the Lady Cardinals, taking a 10-point advantage, 16-6. A late rally by the Lady Cardinals—who capitalized on the errors of the Lady Blazers—guided them back into the set, tying things up, 22-22. Wielyn Estoque and Gayle Pascual, who were mainly setted up by Cloanne Mondonedo, would make sure the Lady Blazers would prevail in the set, after hitting crucial spikes to win the set, 25-22.

The final set started off no different. It was a close battle to begin with, as the Lady Blazers look to add another win to their record, while the Lady Cardinals look to extend the ball game to another set. After the first technical timeout, the Lady Blazers unleashed their familiar series of sharp attacks and staggering defense, once again headed by Gentapa, Nolasco, and Pascual, helping them pull away from the Lady Cardinals. The Taft squad would never look back and would proceed to win the ball game, 25-20.

Mondonedo was named Player of the Game after 12 excellent sets and one service ace.

The Lady Blazers are set to face the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws on Friday, Sept. 8 at the Paco Arena Events and Sports Center. The game will be streamed live at the V-League website, Facebook and Youtube, and Solar Sports.