The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Lady Blazers blazed their way to bring the crown back to Taft after sweeping the defending champions Arellano University (AU) Lady Chiefs on Friday, July 22, at the Filoil Flying V Center, San Juan.
It was an intense first set as the Lady Chiefs started strong and claimed their first six points, leaving the Lady Blazers behind. However, Benilde managed to get back on their feet before long, edging Arellano at 8-7 in the first technical timeout. From then on, they were able to maintain the lead until they lost their momentum after a 20-20 tie. Coach Jerry Yee immediately called for a timeout, and the team survived three tie-breaking plays and a deuce before ending the set off of Arellano’s error, 26-24.
In the second set, a successful video challenge by the Lady Chiefs was utilized against the Lady Blazers for committing a block touch error upon opening the second set. Followed by a 3-3 tie, Michelle Gamit broke the deadlock with a powerful hit, 4-3. Rookie Cristy Ondangan then started to shine after contributing two consecutive points. The second canto was capped off with two more blocks and two service aces, with the Taft team claiming another victorious set, 25-12.
The final winning set for the Lady Blazers commenced quickly after numerous consecutive errors committed by the opposing team. While the Taft squad continued to strengthen their defenses, the Lady Chiefs fell short without even reaching a double-digit score. Team captain Mycah Go then served an ace, sealing their historic undefeated run, 25-9.
A winning team
In an interview with The Benildean, Coach Yee mentioned how much the chemistry of the team helped in winning the championship.
When asked about their key advantages this season, he answered that the players themselves and their determination to win were the key to this success. “Nag-stick together sila, nagsama-sama, and nag-work together [as a team], so [silang] players talaga,” Coach Yee stated, emphasizing how their teamwork made their dream work.
Gayle Pascual was proclaimed Finals MVP after chipping 17 points in the first game and 14 points during the second game. On the other hand, Go was hailed as the season’s MVP and First Best Outside Spiker in the Season 97 individual awards ceremony before the game began.
Pascual humbly stated that the entire team deserved the award, “We are all [MVPs] in our own ways naman eh. So, this award, hindi lang ‘to sa ‘kin, para rin sa team kasi lahat naman kami nag-contribute hanggang sa finals.”
Go, on the other hand, also added that it was also through Coach Yee’s help that the team was truly able to band together. “Andiyan si Coach [na] bumubuo sa amin. So, isa rin sa advantages [namin] na si Coach ‘yung bumubuo sa amin,” Go shared.
Box Scores:
DLS-CSB (3): Pascual 14, Gentapa 11, Ondangan 10, Go 8, Gamit 7, Mondonedo 3, Basarte 1, Dizon 0, Salmon 0, Mondejar 0, Avilla 0, Apostol 0
AU (0): De Guzman 10, Diño 6, Donato 5, Sasuman 3, Abay 3, Bello 1, San Gregorio 1, Paralejas 1, Adante 0, Manuntag 0, Cuenca 0, Daisog 0, Pecana 0, Matawaran 0
Set scores: 26-24, 25-12, 25-9
