Lady Blazers, Lady Altas on cusp of title showdown

MANILA, Philippines — College of Saint Benilde flexed its defensive muscle to repel University of the East, 25-22, 25-13, 25-12, for the big head-start in their best-of-three semifinal series in the V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge at the Paco Arena in Manila yesterday.

In the other semis showdown, University of Perpetual Help System Dalta pulled off a shock reversal over erstwhile unbeaten Far Eastern U, 25-21, 28-26, 26-24.

The Lady Blazers used a crippling 8-0 closing run to dispatch the Lady Warriors, spiked by three straight hits from Zam Nolasco, including back-to-back kill blocks.

“Yung consistency and less errors lang talaga ‘yung nangyari in this game,” said CSB coach Jay Chua. “Sana gumana ‘yung blocking namin sa Game 2.”

Nolasco finished with six blocks to go with six attacks, while Jade Gentapa paced CSB with 15 markers on 12 attacks, two of which helped anchor their strong finishing kick.

CSB, which struggled past the UE side, 23-25, 25-22, 29-27, 25-18, in the elims last Sept. 10, held the league’s top gun, Caseiy Dongallo to nine points with Khy Cepeda and Riza Nogales dishing out six markers apiece for the Recto-based squad.

Meanwhile, Mary Rhose Dapol dished out a superb all-around game of 13 points, nine excellent digs and eight excellent receptions, while Shai Omipon anchored most of the rallies in the gripping encounter and finished with 20 markers for Perpetual.

It was a big bounce-back victory for the Lady Altas, who dropped a 26-28, 25-17, 17-25, 13-25 setback to the Lady Tamaraws in the eliminations but imposed their will early in their second face-off then lived through back-to-back cliffhangers to snare the win while dealing their fancied rivals an ego-deflating loss.

Jasmine Sapin likewise shone for the Las Piñas-based squad with her playmaking, helping the team move a win away from the championship.

“Yung adjustment namin from offense to defense nag-work. Meron akong mas pinabilis at mas pinatibay sa floor defense; kasama na rin ‘yung scouting sa opponents namin today,” said Perpetual head coach Sandy Rieta.

Kezia Bedonia kept the Lady Tamaraws in the match but failed to draw solid backup from the rest. She finished with 10 points while Faida Bakanke ended up with six markers.

CSB and Perpetual go for the clincher tomorrow while UE and FEU seek to rebound and send their respective series to a pair of sudden deaths.