DOMINATION. College of Saint Benilde’s Mary Grace Borromeo (right) scores on a spike during their match against Parañaque City in the Philippine National Volleyball Federation Challenge Cup at Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila on Tuesday (Nov. 7, 2023). The Lady Blazers won, 25-6, 25-20, 25-17. (PNVF photo)
MANILA – Defending National Collegiate Athletic Association champion College of Saint Benilde kicked off its campaign in the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) Challenge Cup with a 3-0 victory over Parañaque City at Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila on Tuesday.
The Lady Blazers, led by top middle blocker Zamantha Nolasco, Wielyn Estoque and Corrine Apostol, needed only 65 minutes to prevail, 25-6, 25-20, 25-17, in Pool A.
Letran and San Beda University also won in the women’s division.
Letran rallied past Rizal Technological University-Basilan, 25-22, 25-11, 22-25, 25-13, in Pool C; while San Beda outplayed La Salle-Dasmariñas, 25-19, 25-17, 25-16, in Pool D.
Competition in the men's division starts at 8 a.m. on Wednesday with Angatleta-Orion, Bataan facing Jose Rizal University, followed by the matches between PGJC-Navy and Plaridel, Quezon at 10 a.m. in Pool C; University of the East-Cherrylume against Arellano at noon in Pool B; and Santa Rosa City against Emilio Aguinaldo College at 2 p.m. in Pool D.
Lyceum-Batangas takes on University of the Philippines at 4 p.m. in Pool D and Arellano University battles University of Batangas at 6 p.m. in Pool C in the other women's matches.
Sixteen teams each are entered in the men's and women's divisions.
They will slug it out in a single-round robin within their pools, with the top two advancing to the quarterfinals.
The quarterfinals, semifinals and championship will be in knockout formats. (PNA)
