MANILA – College of St. Benilde Lady Blazers made a return trip to the NCAA women’s volleyball tournament finals after a 20-25, 25-15, 25-17, 25-18 victory over Mapua University Lady Cardinals in the Final Four round at the Playtime FilOil Center in San Juan.
Zamantha Nolasco stood out with 19 points, which included 18 attacks and one block, to be named Player of the Game for the Lady Blazers, who are aiming for their fourth consecutive championship.
“We are thrilled because we achieved our goal of returning to the Finals,” Nolasco stated in a post-game interview. “Our chance to achieve a four-peat is still alive.”
“My setter informed me before the fourth set that she would primarily give me the ball because we needed to score, and fortunately, I was able to convert those opportunities,” she added.
According to Lady Blazers head coach Onyok Getigan, he had to motivate his players during the second set after a lackluster performance in the first set.
“Of course, we had to reprimand the players; we just needed to wake them up,” Getigan remarked after the win. “Fortunately, they were able to adjust quickly after that, and we won the next three sets.”
The Lady Blazers will next face either Colegio de San Juan de Letran Lady Knights or Arellano University Lady Chiefs in the best-of-three finals round./PN
