CSB masters UE, nears finals

College of Saint Benilde flexed its defensive muscle to repel University of the East, 25-22, 25-13, 25-12, for the big head-start in their best-of-three semifinal series in the V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge at the Paco Arena in Manila on Wednesday.

The Lady Blazers used a crippling 8-0 closing run to dispatch the Lady Warriors, spiked by a three straight-hit from Zam Nolasco, including back-to-back kill blocks.

"Yung consistency and less errors lang talaga 'yung nangyari in this game," said CSB coach Jay Chua. "Sana gumana 'yung blocking namin sa Game 2."

Nolasco finished with six blocks to go with six attacks, while Jade Gentapa paced CSB with 15 markers on 12 attacks, two of which helped anchor their strong finishing kick.

CSB, which struggled past the UE side, 23-25, 25-22, 29-27, 25-18, in the elims last Sept. 10, held the league’s top gun, Caseiy Dongallo to nine points with Khy Cepeda and Riza Nogales dishing out six markers apiece for the Recto-based squad.