The DLSU Lady Spikers pushed the CSB Lady Blazers to the brink, wrapping up in three sets, 25-13, 25-23, 25-16, to cap off their Pool E run unblemished in the 2024 Shakey’s Super League Tournament, earlier tonight, October 30, at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum, successfully bagging the twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
Katrina Del Castillo was hailed the Player of the Game, chalking up 10 points from six attacks and four blocks against the CSB Lady Blazers. Supporting her were Shevanna Laput and Team Captain Angel Canino, earning 10 and nine points, respectively, for the Green-and-White.
Despite Rhea Densing’s standout performance, nicking six points for the Blazers, it was not enough to break the Lady Spikers’ undefeated run. Her teammates Shahanna Lleses and Clyde Catarig bagged five and four marks, respectively, on the scoreboard.
Landslide clinch
On to a flying start, Rookie Setter Mikole Reyes spurred the match with an ace, followed immediately by a quick hit from Laput, 2-0. The Green-and-White overwhelmed the Lady Blazers, pushing them to commit unforced errors in an attempt to break through La Salle’s strong net and floor defensive plays, 12-5. Cristy Ondangan showed out for the Lady Blazers, catching La Salle’s blockers off-guard with a running attack. However, Shane Reterta, seeing an opening in the Blazers’ defense, answered with a drop shot, keeping DLSU on top, 13-6.
Gaining footing, Catarig led the CSB with an endline attack that destabilized La Salle’s floor defense off-balance, 14-8. Mycah Go then carved another point for the white jerseys, hoping to sustain their run, 14-10. However, errors soon plagued the Blazers’ plays, eventually giving away an eight-point spree to La Salle, 24-11. In their last ditch effort, Mary Borromeo cuts two consecutive marks for the Blazers, 24-13. Unfortunately, it was too late as Del Castillo, with a drop ball, ended the set on a landslide victory, 25-13.
Core intact, full of tact
After a dominant performance in the first set, the Lady Spikers’ second stringers fought tooth and nail to secure a close second-set victory, with seniors Alleiah Malaluan and Jyne Soreño anchoring the ship. The early leg of the set was marked by a series of unforced blows from both sides, but a decisive four-point run ignited by Jessa Ordiales’ quick hit propelled La Salle to a three-point lead, forcing the first technical timeout, 8-5.
Despite a valiant effort by the Lady Blazers, including back-to-back hitouts from Lleses, the Lady Spikers maintained a narrow lead, 9-8. Malaluan’s crucial floor defense then set up Amor Guinto for consecutive scoring opportunities, widening the cushion to four points, 12-8. CSB’s heavy serving and Lleses’ explosive attacks temporarily closed the gap, tying the score at 12-all. Both teams showcased impressive defensive skills, but Malaluan’s deep crosscourt hit secured the second technical timeout for the Lady Spikers, 16-15.
After the technical timeout, both teams’ starters re-entered the court, intensifying the match. DLSU extended its lead following missed attempts by Densing and a short tip by Malaluan, 18-15. A service error by Go allowed La Salle to maintain the advantage, reaching the 20-point mark, 20-17. CSB fought back, narrowing the gap to one point three times, but a final service error by Ondangan clinched the second set for DLSU’s core players, 25-23.
Set straight
Heated from their first two-set wins, the Green-and-White kicked off the third set with an error, 0-1. On steady grounds, consecutive blocks from Laput and Canino, and an Amie Provido attack, reasserted the dominance of the green jerseys, 3-1. Densing stood up for the Blazers as she checked the infamous Taft blockers, carving another mark on their record, 5-3. CSB attempted to break the spirited Lady Spikers, however, the Lady Spikers refused to bow down as they took on the Blazers’ shaky net and floor defense, 11-4.
The Lady Blazers closed the gap to five points as they took advantage of La Salle’s slips, 15-11. Fresh off the second technical timeout, the green jerseys regrouped, with Del Castillo on the frontline, nicking two consecutive points out of a block and a quick, 18-11. However, the Lady Spikers bombarded the Blazers with relentless attacks, leaving the white jerseys unable to recover. Lleses retaliated with a sharp crosscourt hit, but CSB ultimately succumbed to the prowess of La Salle, 20-14. Malaluan ended the decisive third set with a Zone Five endline attack, successfully advancing the Lady Spikers with a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals, 25-16.
Named Most Valuable Player of the match, Del Castillo attributed her stellar performance to the unwavering faith and support of her team and coaches, “…yung trust na binigay nila sa akin, parang sinasabi nila na, ‘Oh, you can do it.’ Nilagay kita riyan kasi kaya mo at mas may mailalabas ka pa.”
(The trust they placed in me was like them saying, ‘Oh, you can do this.’ We put you in this position because we believe in you and we know you can achieve even more.)
Having clinched the top spot in Pool E during the second round of the Shakey’s Super League, the Lady Spikers are poised to dominate the next round of the tournament. With a twice-to-beat advantage, they will begin their quarterfinal journey on November 3 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum
The Scores:
DLSU 3 – Laput 10, Del Castillo 10, Canino 9, Malaluan 6, Reterta 5, Provido 4, Guinto 4, Soreño 2, Nunag 2, Ordiales 1, Reyes 1, Caringal 1, De Leon 0, Rodriguez 0
CSB 0 – Densing 6, Lleses 5, Catarig 4, Ondangan 4, Estoque 3, Nolasco 3, Go 2, Borromeo 2, Basilio 1, Badion 1, Inocentes 1, Basarte 0, Estenzo 0, Getigan 0
Set Scores: 25-13, 25-23, 25-16
