The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) volleyball teams rallied against the San Sebastian College-Recoletos (SSC-R) Stags on Tuesday, Apr. 17, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City. The Lady Blazers outdueled the Lady Stags, 3-1, while the Blazers struggled to contain the Golden Stags, 2-3.
The men's team initiated the opening game against the Golden Stags. The Benilde Blazers immediately sparked a commanding first set, led by the dominant spiker Arnel Aguilar, the score went to a whopping 13-point gap, 20-7. The Golden Stags couldn't handle the hot start of the Blazers, giving the Taft squad the first set win, 25-12.
Things went sideways for the Blazers in the second set as the game intensified with close rallies. Pesky Golden Stag, Kyle Villamor, gave the Taft squad a hard time as he led the scoring for the men in yellow and red. Despite the Taft squad keeping things close led by Harold Marasigan and Jacob Herrera's attacks, their efforts weren't enough to give the Blazers the second set win, 23-25.
The men in green and white couldn’t find their rhythm in the third set with the Golden Stags attacking early in the set, 5-8. Herrera's scoring efforts managed to tighten the gap late in the set, 14-15. But the receiving deficiency of the Blazers caused them to lose their momentum and handing the set to the Golden Stags, 23-25.
Looking to extend the ball game, the Blazers immediately bounced back in the fourth set, improving their receptions and attacks. Marasigan ignited a scoring outburst, aided by Chris Villanueva's setting prowess, leading the Benilde squad in securing the fourth set win, 25-22. However, their momentum didn't translate into the deciding set as SSC-R’s Villamor went hot with a 28-point performance, dealing the Taft squad a loss in the last set, 10-15. The ball game concluded with the Blazers absorbing another loss, 2-3.
The Lady Blazers, on the other hand, played smoothly on the first set of their rally against the Lady Stags. The squad's main setter, Cloanne Mondoñedo, led the team’s motion in the set with consecutive successful sets and impactful aces. The Lady Blazers walked past the Lady Stags in the first set with a commanding 25-13 set win.
An unusual scenario popped up in the second set as the Lady Stags managed to tie the game at 19 with the help of Katherine Santos. The Lady Stags unexpectedly gave the Lady Blazers their first set loss of the tournament, 23-25.
In response, the Lady Blazers immediately regained their momentum in the third set, backed by the second unit of Coach Jerry Yee, that included spikers Clydel Catarig and Jade Gentapa. The Taft squad easily handled the third set, 25-13.
The fourth set saw a fully loaded roster in the Lady Blazers’ court. Mondoñedo's setting prowess led to a scoring spree from Wielyn Estoque and Jessa Dorog. The ladies in green and white routed the Lady Stags in the fourth set, 25-14. The Lady Blazers clinched the win, 3-1, and extended their win streak to four.
Mondoñedo was hailed as the best player of the game, acquiring 19 of the team’s 20 sets, with six points and four service aces.
Catch the Benilde Blazers and the Lady Blazers in their upcoming matches against the Colegio de San Juan de Letran on Sunday, Apr. 21, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Set scores:
Blazers vs Golden Stags: 25-12, 23-25, 23-25, 25-22, 8-15
Lady Blazers vs Lady Stags: 25-13, 23-25, 25-13, 25-14
