Lady Spikers keep FEU at bay for ninth straight victory
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers grabbed their ninth consecutive win of UAAP Season 85 to maintain their spotless elimination round record. They brought down the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws in straight sets, 30–28, 25–12, 28–26, earlier today at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena.
Jolina dela Cruz earned her second straight Player of the Game nod with 13 points and 14 digs, with clutch performances towards the end of the first and third sets being the catalyst to her team’s eventual victory.
La Salle experienced a slow start to their game and found themselves at a 0–4 deficit, causing coach Ramil de Jesus to call for an early timeout. Following the short break, the Lady Spikers finally got themselves on the scoreboard with a Thea Gagate block which the rest of the crew followed up with four straight points to cut the lead to 5–6. FEU entered the first TTO up by three and maintained a slim advantage for most of the set behind Chenie Tagaod’s offensive output and commendable net defense from their blockers.
A cheeky dump from Angel Canino finally gave DLSU their first lead of the game at 14–13, however the Lady Tamaraws quickly snatched it back and entered the second technical timeout up by two. FEU reached set point at 24–21 but the Lady Spikers remained steadfast in their tracks and produced an equalizer behind Marionne Alba’s service ace and Jolina dela Cruz’s score-tying kill. A lengthy back-and-forth exchange ensued as neither school wanted to give up the first frame, but it was breakout superstar Canino who delivered two consecutive points to complete the comeback and win the set, 30–28.
Both teams kicked off Set 2 similarly to how the first ended with back-and-forth action up until the first technical timeout where La Salle led by one. The score was deadlocked once again at 9–9, but from that point on the Lady Spikers were able to create a significant gap and embarked on a 7–1 run to a 16–10 lead at the second TTO. Alba and company never let their feet off the gas pedal and cruised to a dominant 25–12 second set blowout with remarkable contributions from every player on the floor.
Jyne Soreno, Gagate, and Canino were the keys to La Salle’s advantage early in Set 3 as they rolled to an 8–5 lead at the first TTO. There was no lack of creativity and unpredictability from the Lady Spikers as Kapitana Alba, who’d already notched points off her blocking in the prior sets, scored off a cross-court attack. FEU levelled the score at 9-apiece and took over the lead in the following play but couldn’t hold onto it for long as La Salle recovered their advantage two points later. The Lady Tamaraws stayed within striking distance despite playing without Tagaod in the third as Jovelyn Fernandez and Alyzza Devosora proved invaluable for their team’s scoring. DLSU held a one-point lead at the second technical timeout and proceed to exchange blows with FEU play after play until the dying embers of the game. Ultimately, the Lady Spikers outlasted yet another nailbiter towards the end of the third as an attack error from Fernandez put the constest to bed in another 3–0 sweep for DLSU.
The Lady Spikers will aim to make it ten straight wins as they face the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses this Sunday, April 2, 2PM at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
