MANILA – College of Saint Benilde Lady Blazers remain unblemished in the 2023 V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge after a 25-16, 25-22, and 25-20 beating of Mapua Lady Cardinals on Wednesday at the Paco Arena in Manila.
The reigning back-to-back NCAA champions banked on their defense, recording 15 total blocks as they secured their third victory in as many matches to move closer to a semifinals seat.
Zam Nolasco and Gayle Pascual anchored the Lady Blazers’ defense with five blocks each, while team captain Clo Mondoñedo was decent with her ball distribution as she ended up with 12 excellent sets.
“Slow start na naman kami. Ayaw lang din namin na marami kaming errors, pero so far so good,” said Lady Blazers assistant coach Jay Chua. “One game at a time lang kami nakapag-focus talaga, and sana magtuloy-tuloy ang magandang performance namin.”
Roxie dela Cruz was the lone double-digit scorer with 10 points, including four service aces, while Raisa Ricablanca added nine markers for the Lady Cardinals, which dropped to a 1-3 slate.
Meanwhile, Mary Rose Dapol anchored the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Lady Altas’ fight back from a set down to beat the Enderun College Lady Titans, 25-27, 25-14, 25-22, and 25-19.
Dapol, the reigning NCAA women’s volleyball Most Valuable Player awardee, waxed hot with 26 points, including 22 attacks, as the Lady Altas recorded their third victory in five matches.
Team captain Razel Aldea also came alive for the Lady Altas with 13 points on 11 attacks and two blocks as they bolstered their fight for the remaining semifinal seat with still two games left in their schedule.
“We must continue to work hard. We will study our next game first. We will analyze the strategy to secure a victory,” Lady Altas head coach Sandy Rieta said after the match.
Negrense Erika Jin Deloria carried the fight for the reigning NAASCU champion Lady Titans with 20 points, and Althea Botor supported her with 14 markers, but they still rolled to their third defeat in four outings./PN
