College of Saint Benilde cruised to its third straight victory in the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge, stunning debuting Ateneo de Manila University in straight sets, 25-18, 25-18, 25-17, Saturday at the Paco Arena Sports and Events Center in Manila.
Kai Lleses powered the Lady Blazers to the solo lead at 3-0 with 10 points built on eight attacks and two aces, spearheading a balanced offense that wrapped up the match in just one hour and 14 minutes.
The outside hitter also tallied eight digs and six excellent receptions in a near-flawless outing for the 2023 champions.
“Ang initial plan lang namin is ‘yung system namin, na sundin at gawin nang tama. Kasi kung kakabahan sila, siyempre, hindi nila magagawa nang tama ‘yung mga dapat nilang gawin. ‘Yun lang naman talaga ‘yung pinag-uusapan namin; ‘yung dapat consistent lang,” said assistant coach Corrine Apostol on their game plan against a revamped Blue Eagles squad.
Benilde dictated the tempo early, with setter Chenae Basarte orchestrating the offense and capitalizing on Ateneo’s shaky first-ball reception.
Basarte finished with 17 excellent sets while adding three points, including two service aces.
The Blue Eagles showed flashes late in the first and second sets behind Zey Pacia’s steady scoring, but costly miscues — 27 errors in total, including three straight in the third set — proved their undoing.
Statistically, both teams recorded 35 attacks, but the Lady Blazers controlled the net with seven blocks and pressured Ateneo from the service line with six aces.
Middle blockers Zam Nolasco and Cristy Ondangan chipped in nine points apiece, while Rhea Densing added five.
For Ateneo, Pacia was the lone double-digit scorer with 11 points, while senior Gena Hora came off the bench to contribute nine.
“Actually hindi pa namin siya iniisip talaga kasi one game at a time lang tayo. Pero nag-start na sila mag-viewing at mag-aral ng individual stats ng Adamson yesterday,” Apostol added.
(C) V-League
Earlier in the day, University of Perpetual Help System DALTA snapped its two-game skid after sweeping Mapua University, 25-13, 25-9, 25-13, to notch its first win of the tournament.
Shai Omipon came off the bench to deliver the finishing touches, scoring five points — three of which came in the third set.
Geraldine Palacio also stood out with 10 points, including three blocks, five kills, and two service aces. Meanwhile, setter Fianne Ariola dished out 14 excellent sets on top of five points of her own.
“Yung adjustments sa kung ano pa ‘yung kulang ng team at kulang nga mag individual players na nakita namin sa first two games namin. Kasi medyo bago ‘tong team eh; ‘yung chemistry is hinahanap ko pa rin ‘yung ila-line up sa loob. Kaya papalit-palit ako ng starting six nung mga nakaraan,” said head coach Sandy Rieta.
