Andrew Pamorada | FCF
The story goes on and on for the six years and counting in the 76th University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) women’s volleyball — De La Salle University is a finals shoo-in and it seems, despite the annual departure of key players, they seem to grow more invincible each and every season.
The Lady Spikers entered the finals of this season’s volleyball tournament outright even if the elimination round is still ongoing after duplicating their Season 74 performance by sweeping all 14 games with a 14-25, 26-24, 25-21, 25-20 thumping of the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs.
Starting the game flat-footed by succumbing to NU’s sheer length and power, La Salle resorted to unusual plays initiated by setter Kim Fajardo to jumpstart the second set at 1-9.
While the Lady Bulldogs slowly crawled back with crosscourt spikes from Mina Aganon and combination plays by sister twin towers Dindin and Jaja Santiago to extend the set at 23-24, the Lady Spikers earned free points with two successive spiking errors from NU.
This, for La Salle head coach Ramil de Jesus, were keys for the win.
“The second set was crucial, the team refused to give up,” the multi-titled coach said in Filipino. “We’re lucky. When we reached 20 points, it’s about the breaks of the game. “
In the third set, it was La Salle’s turn to catch up as a string of errors brought them down by as much as nine, 3-12.
Down 11-18, they then scored six straight points, which included four blocks for a 20-18 lead. Seldom used middle spiker Alexandra Tan then scored on two service aces to close down the set, 25-21.
In the fourth set, the Lady Bulldogs ultimately crumbled by committing errors in reception, spikes, and serves as graduating La Salle veteran Abi Marano took charge with running spikes, blocks, and crucial digs.
A backline spike by top scorer Ara Galang ultimately opened the gate to the finals for the Lady Spikers, where they will gain a thrice-to-beat advantage as incentive for sweeping the eliminations, 14-0.
Galang and Marano led the Lady Spikers with 15 and 14 points respectively while the Santiago sisters combined for 27 points for the second-place Lady Bulldogs, who are assured of the twice-to-beat edge in the semis.
In the first game, the ousted University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses spoiled the semis bid of the Adamson University Lady Falcons, 25-23, 25-18, 23-25, 25-15.
Despite dropping the third set, the Tigresses employed superior net defense from the get-go as they finished with a season-high 19 blocks. They finished what coach Odjie Mamon dubbed as a “forgettable” season with five wins and nine losses.
Star Tigress Pamela Lastimosa got an injury scare in the second set with a tweaked ankle but finished the game with an all-around game of 18 points, which included five blocks.
Young turks Mela Tunay and Chlodia Cortez did the damage in the fourth set, combining for nine points, as they finished with 17 and 14 points, respectively. Starting setter Loren Lantin added eight points with five blocks.
The 6-8 Falcons, led by scoring leader Bang Pineda with 21 points and five aces, drop to 6-8 as they hope for Far Eastern University to lose to Ateneo de Manila University in tomorrow’s final elimination game to force a playoff for fourth place.
The Lady Tamaraws (6-7), fresh from a humiliating defeat from the University of the Philippines, may automatically enter the step-ladder semis if they beat the Lady Eagles (9-4) in Sunday’s main match.
