The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Blazers and Lady Blazers triumphed against the Mapua University (MU) Cardinals and Lady Cardinals with clean sweeps, both 3-0, today, May 23, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Blazers’ Chris Villanueva made the opening mark of the game with a service ace at the start of the set and an early 8-2 run with James Marasigan, Adrian Austero, and Rocky Motol leading the offensive. The Cardinals, with Ar-Jay Ramos and Barbie San Andres, capitalized on the Blazers’ errors, closing the gap in a nail-biting opening set. Despite spirited efforts from the Cardinals, the Taft Squad claimed the set in their favor, 25-22.
The second set saw more action from Mapua’s Olsen Jamisola, along with Ramos and San Andres, mounting a spike barrage. In spite of the relentless assaults from the Cardinals, the Blazers maintained their lead and momentum, clinching the second set, 25-20.
Donning the green and white jerseys, the Blazers’ Marasigan and Motol proved to be too hot to handle for the Cardinals, with Jacob Herrera delivering the knockout blow, 25-22. Redeeming themselves after a first-round loss to the same team, the Blazers turned the tables in their favor with a clean sweep 3-0.
Meanwhile, the Lady Blazers graced the taraflex next, opening the set in their favor with a 15-2 run led by team captain Mycah Go. The Lady Cardinals attempted to resist the brutal skirmish from the ladies in green and white, but they were hunted down with consecutive arrows from Rhea Densing, 25-12.
The ladies in red and gold emerged from the haze and secured an early lead with Freighanne Garcia, Gem Gavica, and Raissa Ricablanca at their reins. The Intramuros squad manned their defense, but Taft squad’s Cristy Ondangan and Densing slipped attacks through their walls with a late game 5-0 run, securing the set at 25-19 after a critical error by Mapua’s Garcia.
The third set saw the Cardinals surge to an 11-17 lead, but Ashley Lleses and Go led a spirited counteroffense that brought Benilde within striking distance at 16-17. The Lady Cardinals attempted another late-game surge, but Ondangan’s service ace sealed the victory for the Lady Blazers, 26-24.
Marasigan led the Blazers with 14 points on 14 attacks, while Densing powered the Lady Blazers with 19 points on 18 attacks and an ace.
The Benilde Blazers and Lady Blazers will face the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta (UPHSD) Altas on Sunday, May 25, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre with a live telecast on the NCAA Philippines Facebook and YouTube pages.
Set Scores:
Blazers: 25-22, 25-20, 25-23.
Lady Blazers: 25-12, 25-19, 26-24
