The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Blazers and Lady Blazers cruised past Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) Generals and Lady Generals, 3-0, today, Feb. 20, at the San Andres Gym in Manila City.
The Benilde Blazers struck first against the Generals to draw first blood. The Paco Squad answered with a quick two-point run, tying the game early on. After the first two technical timeouts, the Taft Squad took charge with a commanding 7-point lead, 10-17. Reymark Betco finished the opening frame with a back-row hit off the hands of the blocker, 25-17. The men in Green and White kept the momentum going as they took the second set with a score of 25-18.
In the third set, the Generals attempted to flip the script, surging ahead, 4-0. Despite EAC's assertive effort, the Blazers poised themselves and trimmed the lead. With a tied score of 20-all, Betco drilled a cross-court hit, and then Rocky Motol ended the long rally that gave the team a 2-point lead in crunch time. Taking away the hopes of an extension, Benilde shut the door to deny an extension, 25-22.
Mirroring the Benilde Blazers, Lady Blazers opened the match with intensity, taking early leads in the first set with Kai Lleses’ down-the-line hits and Clydel Catarig’s sharp attacks. The Lady Generals tried to keep the pace with Cara Dayanan and Angel Perez, but the Taft Squad’s solid blacking, led by team captain Chenae Basarte and Camila Bartolome gave them the edge. Zamantha Nolasco finished rallies smartly, and Catarig added crucial points in the set to seal it 25-19.
In the second canto, the San Marcelino squad fought back through service aces and well-placed attacks from Alessandra Razonable and Ashley Toriado, but the women in green and white stayed composed as Bartolome and Catarig delivered timely blocks and points, while Ash Lleses closed the set with decisive attacks, 25-21.
In the last set, Bartolome, Catarig, and Lleses combined for multiple aces and attacks through the block, forcing errors from the Lady Generals. Strong net presence and precise finishes, including the hammer-down from Catarig and cross-court kills from Lleses, sealed the set, 25-17.
Motol notched 15 attacks and one ace, while Catarig had 13 points and 12 attacks to earn the Player of the Game honor.
The Benilde Blazers and Lady Blazers will face the Colegio de San Juan de Letran (CSJL) Knights and Lady Knights on Feb. 22 at the same venue with a live telecast on Heart of Asia and the NCAA Philippines Facebook and YouTube pages.
Set Scores
Blazers: 25,17, 25-18, 25-22
Lady Blazers: 25-19, 25-21, 25-17
