Lady Spikers dominate archrival Ateneo, take first trip to finals since season 80
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers ended the reigning champions Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles season in just three sets, 25–19, 25–20, 25–23, in the stepladder semifinals of the UAAP Season 84 Women’s Volleyball at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday, June 16.
With Ateneo coming from a statement win against the UST Golden Tigresses, DLSU knew that the momentum was on their rival’s side. After a loss to Adamson to wrap up the second round, the team had to play twice as harder to stop the Blue Eagles’ cinderella season run.
Second-year star Thea Gagate was named Player of the Game, finishing off with 13 points in 8 eight attacks, four blocks, and one ace. Her teammates produced quality numbers as well; with Alleiah Malaluan scoring 16, Jolina Dela Cruz with 13, Fifi Sharma with eight, and Leila Cruz with six.
Both teams exchanged blows at the start, with Ateneo leading 8–6 after the first TTO. The Lady Spikers then responded after, ending Ateneo’s 5–1 run. It was a seesaw battle between the rival teams, but a few unforced errors from the Lady Eagles allowed La Salle to lead 16–13 by the second TTO. Service errors continued to haunt Ateneo, and combined with scores from Malaluan and Sharma, La Salle was able to widen the gap to 20–15, causing Ateneo coach Oliver Almadro to call a time-out. Thea Gagate caught fire at the latter part of the set, contributing to four of La Salle’s last five points, with an ace to conclude the set, 25–19 in favor of the White and Green.
A sloppy start from the Taft-based squad allowed Ateneo a 4–1 advantage to begin the set. Malaluan regains for DLSU, scoring three points capped off with a Dela Cruz hit to tie the game at six apiece. The set went neck-and-neck with attacks coming from both teams. A Cruz block and a failed attack by Faith Nisperos forced the team from Katipunan to call for time, trailing 9–12. Malaluan’s combination of soft touches and hard attacks pulled La Salle ahead, 15–11. Gagate and Sharma willed DLSU to take their second set, 25–20.
Looking to complete the sweep and send their rivals home, the Lady Spikers continued their offensive and defensive prowess in the third. Contributions from Malaluan and Dela Cruz propelled DLSU to an 8–6 lead at the first TTO. After two unforced errors and an unexpected quick from Gagate, Ateneo was forced to burn a time-out, trailing 8–11. Opponent errors widened La Salle’s lead, with a Malaluan block further extending it to five, 18–13, causing coach Ramil De Jesus to smile and clap in satisfaction. Ateoeno, did not easily give up, however, with the lone double-digit scorer Nisperos forcing DLSU to take two time-outs as the score narrowed down to 22–19. The late-game heroics of Raagas and Nisperos did not prevail as Gagate scored on two attacks to give La Salle a match point at 24–21. Malaluan ended the game with a crosscourt hit that gave the Lady Spikers their third set, 25–23.
Dela Cruz shared her thoughts on the win. “Masaya, but at the same time kailangan namin mag-prepare kasi hindi basta-basta nakukuha yung panalo, pinaghihirapan talaga ito. Happy kami na nakuha namin yung panalo today and mag-ready kami for finals.”
With La Salle’s victory, Ateneo is crowned second runner-up in the season tournament. The DLSU Lady Spikers will face top-seeded and undefeated NU Lady Bulldogs in a best-of-three finals series which will commence on Saturday, June 18, 5 PM at the same venue.
