GAMES TOMORROW
(The Arena, San Juan)
12 p.m. – CSB vs. Mapua
2:30 p.m. – JRU vs. Perpetual
DEFENDING champion College of St. Benilde yesterday avenged its first-round defeat to Letran, scoring a 25-18, 25-19, 17-25, 25-18 win to snatch the overall lead in the 100th NCAA women’s volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
The four-peat seeking Lady Blazers streaked to their fifth straight win and improved to 13-2 while avenging their 22-25, 23-25, 24-26 defeat to the Lady Knights last March that snapped their 43-game winning streak, which started in January 2020.
Veteran middle blocker Zam Nolasco led the way with 17 points built on 11 attacks and six kill blocks as the Lady Blazers handed the Lady Knights their third defeat in 16 games, relegating them to second overall.
Cristy Ondangan added 14 points, Shahanna Lleses and Rhea Densing scored 10 apiece, while skipper Mycah Go contributed eight markers, 18 digs and nine excellent receptions.
“Ang target talaga naming mabawi ang lead. Malaking bagay iyon kasi nga tataas iyong kumpiyansa ng mga bata and then sa susunod na game dala-dala nila iyon,” said CSB head mentor Onyok Getigan.
Getigan said the Lady Blazers went into the game with added motivation – avenge their first-round defeat and stop Letran’s six-game winning run.
“Oo [added motivation] kasama na rin iyon pero ang importante is iyong result. Iyon nga iyong makuha ulit namin iyong lead,” he said.
Rookie Vanessa Sarie, who had a record-breaking 37 points in their first-round battle, was limited to 16 markers while Judiel Nitura added 10 points in the losing effort.
Arellano University solidified its Final Four bid with a commanding triumph over also-ran Emilio Aguinaldo College 25-19, 25-15, 25-23.
Outside spiker Laika Tudlasan shone with 13 points on 10 attacks and three service aces while Marianne Padillon and Sam Tiratira delivered nine and eight markers, respectively, for the Lady Chiefs, who scored their second straight win.
Arellano improved to 11-6 while eliminating Lyceum, which has a 7-8 card, from Final Four contention.
