The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Lady Blazers finished strong in the 2024 Shakey’s National Invitational League after routing the Colegio de San Juan de Letran (CSJL) Lady Knights, claiming third place on July 16 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.

The Lady Blazers took on their rivals in the upcoming years as they booked a rematch with their NCAA Season 99 Finals foe, this time, for a bronze medal finish in the Shakey’s National Invitational League. However, the tale of the tape was unfavorable to the Lady Blazers as coach Jerry Yee’s squad is still in a new phase of familiarization due to the loss of the key graduated players. 

Game one of the bronze medal match showed the mastery of the Lady Blazers building an 8-1 lead in the first set, however the Gia Maquilang-led Lady Knights opposed their momentum which led to a first set upset, 21-25. The following three sets displayed the Taft squad’s reassertion led by the second stringer, Clydel Catarig, who was hailed the best player of the game with 22 points. The team was also backed by Wielyn Estoque, who had a remarkable 15 points in 9 attacks, 3 blocks, and 3 aces. Zam Nolasco also displayed a solid performance with 9 points in 7 attacks and 2 blocks. An unusual role was given to Rhea Densing who acted as a middle blocker in the game and converted 12 points in 11 attacks and a block. The first game ended in favor of the Lady Blazers, 3-1.

Game two of the series tallied a different tale as the Lady Blazers struggled to get their momentum. An initial first set win was snatched by the Lady Knights, 23-25, before the Lady Blazers marked a statement second set win, 25-14. Densing and Estoque lifted the offensive loads of the Lady Blazers. The third set was captured by the Lady Knights, credits to Maquilang’s personal offensive run, 19-25. 

The ladies in green and white would immediately force a decider frame, with Catarig igniting with clutch plays, as they took the fourth set, 25-20. In the crucial periods of the fifth set, Estoque managed to land three consecutive attacks that led to the Lady Blazers’ win, 17-15. Densing was hailed as the game’s outstanding player with 24 points in 20 attacks and 4 blocks. 

The Lady Blazers received their bronze medal in the awarding ceremony of the tournament. Also recognized in the ceremony is Nolasco, who was awarded as the first best middle blocker of the tournament, and Estoque, who received the second best outside spiker award. 

Set scores:

Game 1: CSB (3) vs CSJL (1) : 21 - 25, 25 - 21, 25 - 16, 25-17

Game 2: CSB (3) vs CSJL (2): 23 - 25, 25 - 14, 19 - 25, 25 - 20, 17 - 15