By ADRIAN STEWART CO

College of Saint Benilde Lady Blazers cruised to a 25-22, 25-13 and 25-12 straight set beating of the University of the East Lady Warriors in Game 1 of the V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge semifinals at the Paco Arena in Manila on Wednesday, September 20.

Jade Gentapa led the way with 15 markers on 12 attacks, while Zam Nolasco added 12 markers on six attacks and six blocks as the Lady Blazers took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three semifinal series.

The reigning NCAA champions Lady Blazers relied on a crippling 8-0 scoring blast in the third set, highlighted by back-to-back kill blocks from Nolasco to dispatch the Lady Warriors.

“‘Yung consistency and less errors lang talaga ‘yung nangyari in this game,” Lady Blazers assistant coach Jay Chua said.

“Sana gumana ‘yung blocking namin sa Game 2,” he added.

Rookie hitter Casiey Dongallo was limited to just nine points, with Khy Cepeda and Riza Nogales dishing out six markers apiece for the Lady Warriors.

Meanwhile, the University of Perpetual Help Lady Altas scored a 25-21, 28-26, 26-24 stunner against Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws in Game 1 of their semifinal series.

Shaila Omipon finished with 20 points, while reigning NCAA MVP Mary Rhose Dapol added 13 markers as the Lady Altas gained a 1-0 advantage in the best-of-three semifinal series.

With both teams knotted at 21-all late in the third set, the Lady Tamaraws took a 22-21 advantage courtesy of Negrense Kiesha Bedonia, but the Lady Altas responded with conversions from Omipon for a 24-23 lead.

After a Lady Altas service error, they bounced back with a block by Omipon on Bedonia to take a 25-24 lead before a Lady Tamaraws error secured the victory for the Perpetual Help.

Bedonia ended up with 10 points for the Lady Tamaraws, which suffered its first loss in the V-League after sweeping their seven-game elimination round matches./ASC, WDJ