Lady Cards smother Lady Blazers’ win streak with second loss in four seasons

Article by: Crismhil S. Anselmo and Alexandra Isabelle G. Delavin

Graphics by: Albert Dylan D. David and Crismhil S. Anselmo

Photo by: Marcus D. Agustin

The Mapúa Lady Cardinals took the fire out of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Lady Blazers to keep their own hot winning streak alive, handing out the Taft girls their second loss in four seasons—over three weeks since Letran snapped Benilde’s 43-game win streak—in their eighth game in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 100 held yesterday, April 3, at the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Gymnasium.

Nadine Berces christened the match with a powerful attack and a service ace to immediately pitch two points at the start of the opening frame. Points off Alyana Nicole Ong’s block and powerful attacks from Team Captain Therese Angeli Manalo and rising sophomore star Raissa Ricablanca, managed to provide the Lady Cards a sufficient cushion to outlast the white jerseys.

The rallies led to a point exchange as the equally matched defense and offense kept the scores close. Maintaining its grip on the lead, Mapúa grabbed hold of the first set to close at 25-20.

The Lady Cardinals faced a regrouped Lady Blazers in the second frame that gave them a taste of their own medicine. When their opponents established an early lead after the court change, the Intramuros-based squad struggled to find their rhythm as the Taft team strung consecutive attacks to build a huge deficit. Plagued by errors and the opposing team’s revitalized plays, the red jerseys were forced to give up the second set, 11-25.

With fire set around them during the preceding set, the Lady Cardinals had the tall task of soaring above the flames. Stepping into the third frame, a quick pass to Ong placed her in the perfect position to spike the first point of the set against the unguarded spot of the Taft foes. As both teams became unwilling to give an inch, a series of ties took place early in the frame before the Lady Blazers pushed the home team to a four-point disadvantage, 11-15.

After a quick timeout to redirect their focus, the Mapúa jerseys rallied further, reaching a sense of urgency when the green and white jerseys reached set point. Down by two points, the Lady Cards left no room for error to overcome their mistakes, extend the set, and wrapped it up with a 27-25 victory.

With only one set away from snuffing out their opponents' blaze, the Crimson-clad contenders started the fourth frame with a smooth 4-0 run. With the Taft challengers' efforts proving to be a challenge halfway through the set, Manalo delivered two crucial spikes, while Berces penetrated through the defenses to pull ahead at 21-19. From then on, the Lady Blazers were left scrambling to keep the ball alive as the Lady Cards denied their attempts at mounting a comeback, ending the four-set skirmish with a 25-21 final score.

Ong earned her second key performance plum after leading the Lady Cards’ charge with 14 points anchored on 12 attacks and two blocks. Meanwhile, Berces poured nine points and a service ace in the match,alongside 18 excellent digs and nine excellent receptions. Ricablanca and Garcia pitched nine points each in the four-set thriller.

The Lady Cardinals are set to face another scoreboard leader in the UPHSD Lady Altas as the red and gold squad attempts to close their first elimination round on a high note. The face-off will take place tomorrow, April 5, at the UPHSD Gymnasium in Las Piñas City. The game will air on the official social media pages of NCAA Philippines and GMA Sports PH.

The Scores

MU – Ong 14, Berces 10, Garcia 9, Ricablanca 9, Manalo 5, De Guzman 4, Gavica 3, Cabadin 2, Rebustes (L)

DLS-CSB – Estoque 17, Go 16, Nolasco 11, Catarig 8, Densing 7, Ondangan 5, Lleses 1, Badion 1, Dorog (L), Getigan (L)

Set Scores: 25-20, 11-25, 27-25, 25-21