CSB rolls to third straight win, rips Mapua

College of Saint Benilde found a way to fend off Mapua University late and completed a sweep with scores of 25-16, 25-22, 25-20, to remain unblemished in the 2023 V-League Women's Collegiate Challenge on Wednesday at the Paco Arena in Manila.

A huge 7-0 run in the third set saw the Lady Blazers with a 23-13 cushion, but Roxie Dela Cruz reeled the Lady Cardinals back into the match. Zam Nolasco and Clydel Catarig then collaborated for the next two points to seal CSB's third win.

"Slow start na naman kami. Ayaw lang din namin na marami kaming errors, pero so far so good naman yung laro," said coach Jay Chua. "One game at a time lang kami nakapag-focus talaga, and sana magtuloy-tuloy ang magandang performance ng mga bata."

Defense was the key for the NCAA back-to-back champions with 15 blocks, five each from Nolasco and Gayle Pascual, as it fueled the squad's offense anchored by captain Clo Mondoñedo. The setter eventually ended with 12 excellent sets.

Dela Cruz ended with 10 points for Mapua, four of them from the service line in that late comeback attempt, while Raisa Ricablanca almost added double digits with nine.