The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Lady Blazers ignited a commanding V-League Collegiate Challenge 2023 opener after sweeping the Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) Lady Pirates, 3-0, on Aug. 18 at the Paco Arena Events and Sports Center.
The Lady Blazers have set a new arsenal coming into the game as they have turned the high-flying sophomore, Jessa Dorog, to a libero. Errors hit the team early, as the Lady Pirates had the early lead, 1-3. Zamantha Nolasco and Corrine Apostol sparked up with their attacking prowess to redeem the lead, 6-5. Jade Gentapa marked up the tally sheets with a clean roofing attack, 11-6, but multiple errors challenged the Lady Blazers to maintain their growing lead. Clydel Catarig made her presence felt in the first set with an attack off a clean set by Cloanne Mondoñedo, 15-13. Unforced errors from the Lady Pirates’ side boosted the scoring spree of the Lady Blazers with Michelle Gamit ended things in the first set, making her own run with three consecutive points, 25-19.
The second set identically started with an unfavorable rally for the Lady Blazers. Errors were seen between the two opposing teams, causing alternative lead changes. Gayle Pascual had the first clean attack for the ladies in green and white followed by the three statement points of Nolasco, 8-4. Despite the developing momentum of the Lady Blazers, the Lady Pirates made sure to have a solid resistance with Joan Doguna making solid spikes for the opposing team, 8-7. A clean back set by Chenae Basarte led to a tremendous quick attack by Nolasco, 9-7. Pascual showed her high leaping ability as she launched her high-reach attack, triggering a technical timeout, 16-12. Unforced errors distracted the solid run of the Lady Blazers, allowing the Lady Pirates to tie the game at 17. Catarig excelled late in the second set as she landed a clean attack after a solid block to clear the set, 25-20.
The Lady Blazers were immediately challenged in the beginning of the third set as both teams were changing leads alternatively. Gamit led the early run for the Lady Blazers as she tallied three consecutive scores to begin the third set, 5-3. Catarig continued her scoring spree as she dropped two clean attacks, extending the good rallies of the team, 8-6. The Lady Pirates' attack errors gave the momentum to the Lady Blazers. Pascual and Gentapa were showing their spiking prowess after dropping consecutive attacks to maintain the commanding lead, 20-12. Two solid quick attacks by Gamit ended the match, giving the Lady Blazers a sweep, 25-18.
Catarig was hailed player of the game with all points in eight attacks, followed by Nolasco with 12 points of nine attacks and three blocks.
The Lady Blazers will face the San Sebastian College-Recoletos (SSC-R) Lady Stags for their next match on Aug. 27 at the Paco Arena Events and Sports Center. The game will be streamed live at https://vleague.ph/live, https://bola.tv, and V-League YouTube channel and will be televised live at Solar Sports.
Box Scores:
DLS-CSB (3): Nolasco 12, Catarig 8, Apostol 8, Gamit 8, Gentapa 6, Pascual 3, Basarte 1, Mondoñedo 1, Estoque 1, Estenzo 0, Getigan 0, Dorog 0, Ondangan 0, Borromeo 0
LPU (0): Doguna 9, Tulang 8, Lopez 5, Daya 5, Dolorito 5, Puzon 1, Domingo 1, De Guzman 0, Gunman 0, Sta. Maria 0, Rivas 0, Topacio 0, Galedo 0, Osada 0
