Lady Spikers cruise past AdU to remain spotless
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers thwart the Adamson University (AdU) Lady Falcons in three sets, 25–21, 25–20, 25–14, to remain spotless in the first round of the UAAP Season 84 earlier today at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Lady Spikers carried off the momentum from the opening day win against Ateneo and immediately went four straight after the Mars Alba service ace, 4–0. Lucille Almonte then put her team within striking distance, tying the set at 8-all, with four straight markers from the Lady Falcons. From then, it was a chess match, with both teams exchanging leads until super rookie Alleiah Malaluan handed the Taft-based squad a two-point advantage, 20–18. An Adamson error extended La Salle’s lead to four, 22–18, and Leila Cruz put the exclamation point with a block off Aliah Marce to claim the set, 25–21.
It was a different story in the second set, with Adamson immediately controlling the game at 6–3, forcing Coach Ramil de Jesus to call for time. The Lady Spikers immediately responded a mini-run of their own, with Fifi Sharma putting her team at level, 6-all with a rejection. With a sense of urgency washing through the Lady Falcons after the first set defeat, they went on to maintain their advantage, until a costly error handed the Green and White the lead, 16–15, heading into the second technical timeout. Spectacular saves from Justine Jazareno enabled La Salle to secure the second set, 25–20.
Jolina Dela Cruz took matters into her own hands and unleashed kills from different parts of the court, when the Lady Spikers needer her the most. It was still a close contention, until Thea Gagate caught fire, converting swipes, blocks, and an ace under her name, creating a comfortable separation, 20–13. Malaluan brought La Salle to set point, and an attacking error from Marce capped the set, 25–14, and the game, 3–0.
A steady performance both on offense and defense for today’s Player of the Game Jolina Dela Cruz who tallied 12 points on 12 attacks and 11 digs.
The Lady Spikers will be battling co-perfect record holder National University (NU) Bulldogs on Tuesday, May 10 4PM at the same venue.
DLSU 75 — Dela Cruz 12, Malaluan 12, Gagate 9, Sharma 8, Cruz 6, Soreño
AdU 55 — Nuique 12, Almonte 12, R.Cruz 6, Marce 5, Toring 4, Genesis 1
