Lady Spikers bow down to UST in a hard-fought five-set thriller
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers came up just short as they bow to the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses in five nailbiting sets, 24–26, 25–22, 27–25, 23–25, 12–15, earlier today at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Everyone was at the edge of their seats as both teams left their heart and soul on the hardcourt. Despite a coming-out party by Alleiah Malaluan, the Eya Laure-led Tigresses were too much for the Lady Spikers.
The opening set was a back-and-forth affair with both squads trading blows. Neither squad wanted to give an inch early with both teams coming off a loss. The Golden Tigresses pulled ahead after a hit by Fifi Sharma sailed out to put the team up, 5–8, heading into the first technical timeout. With UST threatening to run away with the set, La Salle responded with an, 8–1 run to give themselves a comfortable lead. A tip by Jolina Dela Cruz, gave La salle a four-point lead, 13–9, forcing UST head coach Kungfu Reyes to call for time. The Lady Spikers, however, failed to capitalize on their advantage. UST kept the game close and chipped away at DLSU’s lead. The España-based squad finally took the lead, 20–19, off a hit by Camille Victoria. La Salle fought back and tied the set at 24-apiece, but back-to-back kills by Ysa Jimenez closed the set for UST, 24–26.
The Golden Tigresses pushed the pace early in the second set to put La Salle on the backfoot, 4–7. Just as it looked like UST was about to pull away, DLSU flipped the script as it was their turn to claw their way back into the set. Thea Gagate came alive with multiple defensive stops including an emphatic single block on Laure to put La Salle on top, 17–15. La Salle never looked back and grabbed the set, 25–22, following a UST error.
The Lady Spikers took advantage of their momentum to establish a lead early in the third set. The Taft-based looked to extend their lead at 11–8, and close out the set early, but this time it was UST who had other plans. Three consecutive aces by Laure gave the Tigresses a three-point advantage, 15–12, after storming their way back into the set. La Salle managed to close the gap at 19-all after a Malaluan putback. The Green-and-White took the lead but struggled to close the set. A kill by Jolina put La Salle at set point, 24–22, but UST was able to find their way back once more. Finally, a block by Baby Jyne Soreño capped the set at 27–25, giving La Salle the lead, 2–1.
UST came out the gates swinging in the fourth set, but once again La Salle fought back. Both squads went tit for tat until UST put together a run that established a four-point margin, 10–6. The Lady Spikers managed to trim the gap once more at 21-all after a back-row attack by Malaluan. With the game hanging in the balance, Laure went on a tear as she scored the last three for UST including a monster kill to push the match into a deciding 5th set, 23–25.
Both teams looked gassed heading into the final set. Similar to the previous sets, the two squads refused to give an inch to the opposing team as they traded hits. La Salle came alive and looked primed to put Laure and the Tigresses away, but they just would not quit. Down four, 11–7, Laure dragged her team to the finish line with back-to-back kills, and a block to end the match 12–15.
Alleiah Malaluan had herself a game with a team-high 26 points for the Lady Spikers. The rookie was unfazed as she came up big, time and time again despite the high-pressure situation. Meanwhile, Eya Laure looked unstoppable once again winning Player of the Game honors. The national team standout matched her output against UP with 28 big points off 23 attacks, two aces, and three blocks, including the crucial block to put La Salle away.
Tune in to watch the Lady Spikers (2–2) try to get back on the winning column against the University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors (0–4) on Saturday, May 14, 4 PM at the SM Mall of Asia Arena which will be televised live on One Sports, UAAP Varsity Channel, Cignal Play, and Smart GigaPlay app.
Boxscores:
DLSU 111 — Malaluan 26, Gagate 12, Dela Cruz 12, Soreño 11, Sharma 9, Espina 3, Alba 1, Cruz 1, Jazareno 1
UST 113 — Laure 28, Jimenez 13, Victoria 11, Galdones 11, Balcorta 6, Ecalla 5, Tapia 4, Galanza 2
