POWERFUL SPIKE. College of Saint Benilde opposite hitter Jhasmine Gayle Pascual (in green) scores against two defenders from Mapua University in the 2023 V-League Women's Collegiate Challenge at the Paco Arena in Manila on Wednesday (Sept. 6, 2023). The Lady Blazers won the match, 25-16, 25-22, 25-20, to remain unbeaten in three outings. (Photo courtesy of V-League)
MANILA – Jhasmine Gayle Pascual and Zamantha Nolasco registered double-digit scores as the College of Saint Benilde (CSB) nailed its third straight victory at the expense of Mapua University, 25-16, 25-22, 25-20, in the 2023 V-League Women's Collegiate Challenge at the Paco Arena in Manila on Wednesday.
Opposite hitter Pascual scored nine of her 14 points on attacks, while middle blocker Nolasco chipped in 13 points, including seven kills, for CSB, which held a 7-0 run to take a 23-13 lead in the third set.
The Cardinals rallied behind outside hitter Roxie dela Cruz but Nolasco and opposite hitter Clydel Mae Catarig came to the rescue as the Lady Blazers wrapped up the match after 1 hour and 20 minutes.
"Slow start na naman kami. Ayaw lang din namin na marami kaming errors, pero so far so good naman yung laro (Again, we are off to a slow start. We just don't want to have a lot of errors but so far, the game is good)," coach Jay Chua said.
"One game at a time lang kami nakapag-focus talaga, and sana magtuloy-tuloy ang magandang performance ng mga bata (We were only able to really focus on one game at a time, and I hope the players' good performance continues," he added.
Pascual and Nolasco finished with five blocks each while skipper Cloannie Mondonedo made 12 excellent sets for the NCAA two-time champions.
Dela Cruz had six attacks and four service aces, outside hitter Raisa Janel Ricablanca contributed seven kills and two service aces while Alyanna Nicole Ong scored six points, including three blocks for Mapua, which absorbed its third defeat in four outings. (PNA)
