Lady Spikers serve UP a masterful performance
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers notch another win in dominating fashion against the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, 25–12, 25–17, 25–19, earlier today in the first round of the UAAP Season 84 Women’s Volleyball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Faulty Fighting Maroons coordination and blazing Lady Spikers was the theme of today’s game. UP tried to rally back from an early deficit, scoring three straight to bring them within one, 6–7. The Lady Spikers were quick to respond though, headed by Jolina dela Cruz who gave DLSU a five-point advantage, 12–7. La Salle then was able to double UP’s output, 18–9, off Thea Gagate’s monstrous block over Bertolano. From then, the Lady Spikers never looked back and claimed the first, 25–12.
It was fairly identical in the second set, where UP continued to commit errors, costing them multiple points. They were able to gain a quick momentum through their blocking, attacks, and service aces to cut the DLSU lead to three, 9–12, before eventually falling again with their inconsistency. La Salle on the other hand continued to be a problem with their suffocating blocks and continuous attacks from Sharma as she closed, 25–17, to give La Salle a 2–0 lead.
The third set saw UP gain the upper hand in the early stages of the set with Joan Monares bringing them up by two, 4–2. Things looked good for the Fighting Maroons before eventually succumbing to the offensive consistency of DLSU in the latter half of the set. Back-to-back rejections by Sharma handed La Salle a four-point cushion, 19–15, where a noticeable momentum started to take over. This was capped off by a block from Leila Cruz, bringing the Taft-based squad to their second straight sweep, 25–19.
Alleiah Malaluan, Sharma, and Justine Jazareno were names filling up the box score tonight as they racked up multiple attacks, blocks, and receptions to help DLSU take over the game. Jazareno made multiple excellent digs and receptions, making 12 digs out of 20 attempts, 11 receptions out of 17 attempts and a Player of the Game honors to cap off an excellent game.
The DLSU Lady Spikers look to increase their streak to three, as they face the FEU Lady Tamaraws on Thursday, May 19, 6PM at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Boxscores:
DLSU 75 — Malaluan 16, Sharma 10, Gagate 7, Cruz 7, Dela Cruz 5, Soreño 2
UP 48 — Niña 8, Monares 5, Bertolano 4, Bernardo 3, Monares 3, Bustrillo 2, Sotomil 1, Arce 1, Jaboneta 1.
