The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Lady Blazers started their season strong with a victory against the Mapúa University (MU) Lady Cardinals, while the Blazers were edged out by the Cardinals, 3-2 and 2-3 respectively, today, Jan. 23, at the San Andres Gym, Manila City.
The Lady Blazers struck first on the taraflex as rookie Camila Bartolome set the tone with three service aces, along with Zam Nolasco and Shekainah Lleses for a blistering 12-1 run. Raissa Ricablanca and Nadine Berces attempted to turn fate into Mapúa’s favor, but Benilde skipper Chenae Basarte slammed the door to secure the opening set for the reigning queens, 25-21.
The challengers donning red and gold capitalized on the errors of the Taft squad in the second canto with Ricablanca and Nicole Ong leading the charge, 20-25. Undeterred, Lady Blazers Nolasco, Shahanna Lleses, and Clydel Catarig shunned the equalization by asserting control in the third frame, restoring the edge to Taft, 25-14.
The fourth canto turned into a back-and-forth affair, but the Taft squad failed to close the gap against the Intramuros squad. Despite attacks from Nolasco and Catarig landing on Mapúa’s paint, Ricablanca and Ong delivered in the clutch to edge Benilde in a tight finish and push for a deciding set, 23-25.
The sudden-death set looked grim for the reigning queens until Nolasco ignited in the final moments, pulling the score to a nail-biting 14-all. Rising to the occasion, Shekainah Lleses delivered the decisive hit to seal the victory for the Lady Blazers, 3–2.
Meanwhile, the Benilde Blazers were next on the court against the Mapúa Cardinals. Both squads exchanged points until Arjay Ramos and Barbie San Andres led a 6-1 to draw first blood in the opening set, 20-25. However, the men donning green and white, led by Reymark Betco and Season 100’s second best middle blocker John Austero protected their lead throughout the entire second frame to even the score, 25-22.
Both teams were hungry for payback as they traded sets with Mapúa snatching the third set, 20-25, while Benilde rebounded with a 27-25 victory to force a fifth set. Unfortunately, momentum sided with the Cardinals in the deciding set as their 6-1 run was too steep to scale for the Taft squad, 9-15.
Nolasco tallied 29 points on 24 attacks and four blocks in the tournament opener earning her player of the game honors.
The Benilde Blazers and Lady Blazers will face the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA (UPHSD) Altas on Jan. 25 at the same venue.
Set Scores
Lady Blazers: 25-21, 20-25, 25-14, 23-25, 17-15
Blazers: 20-25, 25-22, 20-25, 27-25, 9-15
