The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Lady Blazers secured their fifth-straight finals berth after a dominant performance against the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA (UPHSD) Lady Altas in Game 2 of the semifinals today, March 25, at the San Andres Sports Complex in Manila City.
The Benilde Lady Blazers and the Perpetual Lady Altas traded points early on, with the Las Piñas squad drawing first blood. Camila Bartolome took the helm as the Taft squad started to gain momentum and extended their lead as they capitalized on unforced errors and Zam Nolasco’s fiery hits. Despite Perpetual’s efforts to trim down the lead, Benilde sealed the first set after a crucial ball-in-ball-out challenge, taking the set, 25-18.
The ladies in green and white squad rode the same momentum onto the second frame, starting with a 3-0 lead. Bartolome continued to dominate with back-to-back service aces and attack points, as Ash Lleses fired a service ace to spark an 8-4 run. The set went down to the wire as Shaila Omipon scored crucial points, and a wide hit from Nolasco extended the set, 24-all. Bartolome then delivered in crunch time with a crucial hit from the middle, followed by a service ace to close the set at 26-24.
With their season on the line, the Lady Altas looked to extend both the set and the series in the third canto, as they surged with a 3-1 run. Benilde answered back with a 4-0 run led by Bartolome, but Charisse Enrico quickly fired back to build rhythm and stay alive in an attempt to snatch a set against the Lady Blazers. The reigning queens’ flawless attacks and defense created separation as they built another lead, along with Nolasco’s drop ball to end the match, 25-21.
Monster rookie Bartolome led the scoresheet with 22 points, 16 attacks, three blocks, three aces, and seven digs.
The Lady Blazers now await their finals opponent as they aim to claim their fifth consecutive championship at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum with a live telecast on Heart of Asia and the NCAA Philippines Facebook and YouTube pages.
Set Scores
Lady Blazers: 25-18, 26-24, 25-21
