Lady Spikers overcome UP’s late scoring surge
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers overcame the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons’ late scoring surge, 26–24, 25–19, 24–26, and 27–25, to notch another W, earlier today at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena. Despite the absence of reigning ROY and MVP Angel Canino, La Salle claimed the first two sets with ease, but a late third set UP scoring surge extended the match to a fourth.
Shevana Laput was given the Player of the Game (POG) honors scoring 21 points off of 18 attacks, two blocks, and one ace in the victory.
Alleiah Malaluan displayed commendable prowess by securing the first point for the Green and White in the first set. The scoreboard remained tightly contested as the game commenced, with Stephanie Bustrillo contributing back-to-back points, propelling the Fighting Maroons to a three-point lead. Malaluan, undeterred, delivered a powerful hit from the open side, narrowing the score to 6–8. Laput then countered with a forceful strike from the opposite side, leveling the score at 9-all. Amidst a flurry of attack errors from both sides, Malaluan emerged victorious in a protracted rally, securing a 15–13 lead for the Lady Spikers. A few sequences later, Maicah Larroza swiftly made her mark with a decisive point, 18-all. Thea Gagate’s quick power tip granted La Salle a two-point advantage, followed by Jyne Soreño’s adept combination play to earn the team a set point. UP, however, mounted a spirited comeback, snatching the next two points to tie the game at 24. Nonetheless, Julia Coronel’s strategic one-two play edged La Salle ahead to claim the set at 26–24, courtesy of Laput’s final decisive strike.
At the beginning of the second set, Mikaela Magsombol initiated the scoring for UP with a deftly executed drop ball, swiftly countered by Laput’s powerful open attack. Following this, Laput secured a service ace before an Amie Provido skillful drop shot placed the score at 6–5. With a resolute defense and timely responses to attacks, Larroza notched a point with a forceful strike from the opposite side of the court, 16–14. A decisive block by Soreño and Gagate extended La Salle’s advantage to five points. Demonstrating unwavering determination and contributing significantly to the team’s effort, a commanding open attack from Malaluan propelled the Green and White to set point, 24–16. Despite a late surge from the Maroons, Soreño soon clinched the set with a formidable attack from the opposite side, 25–19.
Riding off the dominant performance from the previous sets, the Lady Spikers opened the third set with a solid two-point lead, with Laput delivering a powerful attack to push the score to 8–2. Following suit, Larroza then added to the momentum with a forceful cross-court attack, widening the gap to nine points. Jules Tolentino’s precise sets paved the way for Malaluan’s unstoppable open attack, further extending the lead to 15–6. A Katrina Del Castillo middle attack then brought the score to 18–9. On the other side of the court, the Maroons held their ground as they also unleashed potent attacks, to keep the score close at 19–14. Capitalizing on unforced errors from UP and a Larroza hit further widened the gap for the Lady Spikers. Nina Ytang momentarily halts UP’s slide with a deft opposite attack, 22–17. However, a service error from UP handed La Salle a match point, 24–20, before a tense finale in the set occurred with the Maroons going on an impressive eight-to-two run, to equalize, 24-all. Capitalizing on attack errors from the Taft-based squad, UP then seized the opportunity to claim the set, 24–26, and extend the match to a fourth.
In the fourth set, offense for the Lady Spikers began slowly, trailing by three until Gagate’s decisive middle attack brought them back into contention at 1–3. Buoyed by Bustrillo’s powerful hits, UP continued to surge ahead, before Larroza retaliated with strong attacks to narrow the gap to 7–9. From there, the match intensified as both teams showcased offensive prowess and defensive resilience, with the Fighting Maroons refusing to concede a 19–22 lead. Laput’s crucial open attack at 20–22 kept the Lady Spikers in the game. A Larroza service ace cut the lead to just one, which UP countered by scoring two consecutive points to reach set point, 22–24. Yet, Malaluan’s relentless spikes rallied the Lady Spikers to reach a deadlock at 24-all. A Ytang hit then gave the Fighting Maroons another set point, 24–25, but Malaluan quickly responded with a clutch play to tie the game once again. Larroza’s surprise attack from behind edged then gave match point to La Salle, before Coronnel soon sealed the victory with a decisive one-man block, 27–25.
The Lady Spikers (8–1) will aim to continue their winning streak as they take on the University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors (2–6) next Tuesday, April 9, 4 PM, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Set scores: 26–24, 25–19, 24–26, 27–25
Box scores:
DLSU 3 — Laput 21, Malaluan 17, Larroza 12, Provido 8, Soreno 8, Gagate 7, Coronel 5, Del Castillo 1, Tolentino 0, Torres 0, Levina 0, Canino 0, Hernandez (L) 0, De Leon (L) 0
UP 1— Jaboneta 18, Bustrillo 16, Ytang 10, Monares 10, Magsombol 4, Celis 3, Cabasac 2, Encarnacion 0, Goc 0, De Guia 0, Gould 0, Baclay 0, Capistrano (L) 0, Gayo (L) 0
