The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Lady Blazers suffered their third loss in the 2024 V-League Collegiate Challenge, as they fell short of tarnishing the flawless streak of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses, 2-3, today, Aug. 25, at the Paco Arena in Manila.
The first set was an undeniable display of mastery and dominance by the ladies in gold and black as they clawed through the defense of the ladies in green and white. Tigresses’ Angeline Poyos and Athena Abbu led the assault against the Lady Blazers, spearheading the set with a 10-point advantage. Wielyn Estoque kept the Taft squad afloat as she tried to close the gap, however, this was not enough as the Tigresses claimed the first set, 16-25.
In the second set, the Lady Blazers managed to flip the script and finally captured the lead. The first half of the set was a close battle to decide the hunter and the hunted. Rhea Densing ensured that the Taft squad would be the former, leading the charge with her powerful spikes that ultimately claimed the second set, 25-19.
The Lady Blazers clinged on to their momentum as the third set saw a continuation of their excellent play. The Tigresses lost their momentum as Estoque alongside Zamantha Nolasco and Mary Grace Borromeo maintained a four-point lead throughout the set. Estoque ultimately claimed the matchpoint for the Lady Blazers as she hunted the Golden Tigresses down, 25-14, taking a set advantage.
The fourth set became a critical point for both teams. The first half of the match seemed to be a replication of the Lady Blazers’ prowess on the court, however, the Golden Tigresses caught up with the valiant efforts of Jonna Perdido and Regina Jurado. Estoque attempted to outpace the Tigresses, but UST team captain Bernadett Pepito was a steady force on defense, absorbing the hard hitting attack to tie the score to 14-14. The intensity of the match was palpable as both teams never let their opponents get away with more than a point advantage. The Golden Tigresses managed to secure the fourth set with 22-25 forcing a deciding set.
The final set became a nail-biter as both teams wrestled the point from each other. Estoque and Nolasco led the Taft squad to a two-point advantage early in the set but Abbu snatched the lead back to España. The Tigresses kept this advantage throughout the game with Perdido claiming the set with a service ace against the Lady Blazers, 12-15.
Poyos claimed the player of the game honoraries, after securing 22 points in 18 successful attacks alongside three blocks, and an ace.
The Lady Blazers will go up against the Lyceum of the Philippines (LPU) Lady Pirates on Sept. 11, at the same venue with live coverage on the V-League Facebook page, Youtube channel, and website.
Set Scores: 16-25, 25-19, 25-14, 22-25, 12-15
