The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Blazers and Lady Blazers clashed against the Colegio de San Juan de Letrán (CSJL) Knights on Sunday, Apr. 21, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City. The Lady Blazers dominated the Lady Knights, handing them their first loss, 3-0, while the Blazers squandered an advantage versus the Letran Knights, 2-3.
The Lady Blazers were set to face another undefeated team, the Lady Knights. The ladies from Muralla jumped out to an early lead with their rookie outside hitter Gia Maquilang setting a four-point gap, 5-9. Despite the aggressive start from the Lady Knights, the Taft squad responded with concerted efforts from Jessa Dorog, Gayle Pascual, and Zamantha Nolasco closing the gap, topping it with a smash from setter Cloanne Mondoñedo, 25-18.
In the second set, Benilde libero Fiona Getigan matched Maquilang’s smash game with an impeccable dig that kept the ball floating. Getigan allowed outside hitter Wielyn Estoque to punch through the armor with three consecutive smashes and opposite hitter Pascual to secure the second set for the Taft squad with a 25-21 set win.
In the third and last set, Coach Oliver Almadro’s team proved they could keep up with the Taft squad’s tempo. But Estoque and Pascual continued to rack up points to secure the match, 25-19. The Lady Blazers made quick work of the Lady Knights, dominating the match with a clean sweep 3-0.
Estoque was named player of the game, garnering a total of 11 points and attacks. The Lady Blazers extended their win streak to 34, dating back since Season 97.
Meanwhile, on the men’s side, the Benilde Blazers were looking to snap out of their slump as they were set to face off against the Letran Knights.
Letran middle blocker Vince Himzon led his squad to an early advantage against the Taft Squad. However, Benilde opposite Jacob Herrera made sure to answer back for boys in green and white, displaying mastery on the court, to extend the game. The first set was secured by the Blazers, after a service ace from opposite Reiven Valera, 28-26.
Valera’s momentum continued in the second set, pacifying Himzon. The Letran Knights’ armor proved to be unstable for this match ensuring the set goes to the men in green and white, 25-19.
With the advantage on the Blazers’ side, the tides would turn towards the Knights’ favor. Despite great efforts by the Taft squad to be within striking distance in the third set, the Letran trio Himzon, Steven Sta. Maria, and John Derrick Bautista, proved to be too much for the Blazers. The men in green and white surrendered the third set, 21-25.
The Benilde Blazers tried to claim the match after an early barrage of attacks from Herrera, Marasigan, and Manalo. It was a back-and-forth battle throughout the set, until the 23-23 deadlock, when the Knights broke the code to stun the Taft Squad, 23-25.
In the deciding set, both squads unleashed their best players on the court. Marasigan, Herrera, and Manalo bannered the men in green and white, while Sta. Maria, Bautista, and Himzon led the way for the Knights. In what was once a ball game favored towards the Taft team, the Blazers were not able to snap out of the upset, as they surrendered the final set, 11-15. Benilde suffered a reverse sweep earning their fourth loss of the season.
The Benilde Blazers and Lady Blazers will be back on the court against the Arellano University Chiefs on Wednesday, Apr. 24, at the same venue.
Set scores:
Lady Blazers vs Lady Knights: 25-18, 25-21, 25-19
Blazers vs Knights: 28-26, 25-19, 21-25, 23-25, 11-15
