The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Lady Blazers conquered the defending champions Arellano University Lady Chiefs, 25-15, 25-15, 25-14, sweeping the elimination round and advancing to the finals after activating a step-ladder format in #NCAASeason97 on Saturday, July 9, at the Paco Arena Events and Sports Center.
The Lady Blazers were poised to play the reigning champions in the NCAA Women’s volleyball tournament. In usual fashion, the green and white squad got off to a fast start headed by outside hitter Jade Gentapa, leading 7-3 at the first technical timeout. The Lady Blazers continued to hit their shots after the short break, and despite the Lady Chiefs' valiant efforts to keep the set close, the Lady Blazers' floor defense was too much for them to handle, causing the Lady Chiefs to commit a total of seven errors. The set finished with the Taft squad up by 10, 25-15.
In the second set, the Lady Chiefs were keen to even the score up, however, the Lady Blazers once again started off on a tear after an 8-3 surge heading into the short break. Team captain Mycah Go and sophomore Gayle Pascual continued to pour in for the Taft squad, ballooning the lead into a 16-10 advantage before the second technical timeout. The Lady Blazers never looked back and the set ended with a score of 25-15 once again.
The third set began with an unusual start with both teams coming out strong with a 5-5 deadlock. However, the Lady Blazers quickly took an 8-5 lead heading into the first technical timeout. Right after the break, the margin blew even further to 16-7 due to multiple errors by the Lady Chiefs and attacks from both Go and rookie middle blocker Cristy Ondangan. Benilde’s top scorers Pascual, Gamit, and Gentapa combined for a fantastic effort to close out the game, and the Lady Blazers won by 11 points, 25-14.
Lady Blazers' opposite hitter Pascual was named player of the match after dropping 13 points, 11 attacks, and 2 blocks. Team captain Mycah Go garnered 15 points, 14 excellent digs, and 9 excellent receptions, while Jade Gentapa contributed 14 points and 9 excellent digs.
The Lady Blazers remained undefeated after nine games and clinched their first finals birth since Season 91. They are now waiting atop after activating a step ladder format in the tournament. The Lady Blazers are determined to take back the volleyball championship in Taft, which they last won in 2016.
Box Scores:
DLS-CSB (3): Go 15, Gentapa 14, Pascual 13, Gamit 8, Ondangan 5, Apostol 1, Basarte 1, Avila 0, Dizon 0, Estenzo 0, Mondejar 0, Mondonedo 0, Salmon 0
AU (0): Bello 7, Abay 6, Dino 4, Donato 4, San Gregorio 4, Sansuman 4, Paralejas 2, Adante 0, Cuenca 0, Daisog 0, De Guzman 0, Manuntag 0, Matawaran 0, Pecana 0
Set Scores: 25-15, 25-15, 25-14
