The CSB Lady Blazers during their game against the UP Fighting Maroons in the 2024 Shakey's Super League Collegiate Preseason Championship, November 6, 2024 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. Handout/SSLMANILA -- De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde quickly finished off the University of the Philippines in three sets to open the classification phase of the 2024 Shakey's Super League Collegiate Preseason Championship on Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
After a loss against the Far Eastern University in the quarterfinals, the reigning NCAA champions bounced back against the Fighting Maroons, 25-19, 25-14, 25-20.
Chenae Basarte led the offense of the only NCAA team still in action with 10 excellent sets, giving them a chance to finish in fifth place.
"Ginagawa namin yung trabaho namin na yun nga kami lang yung NCAA na pumasok para samin gusto namin makipag sabayan din kasi yun ang trabaho namin, mag laro at mag training," she said.
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Cristy Ondangan assisted the Lady Blazers to secure the first set and Aya Densing helped her team in their showdown with the Lady Maroons in the second set.
The Lady Blazers will continue to face the winner of the UE Lady Warriors and Ateneo Lady Eagles game on Saturday, November 16.
Saint Benilde had to fend off a late charge by UP in the third set, as their seemingly comfortable six-point advantage was brought down to two, 22-20, behind Irah Jaboneta.
But a costly attack error by UP middle blocker Kassandra Doering and another poor hit from Kianne Olango brought the Lady Blazers to match point, with Rhea Densing eventually finishing off the Fighting Maroons.
Nina Ytang and Jaboneta had seven points each for UP.