Lady Spikers show mastery over archrivals Ateneo in Season opener
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers hurdle past first-game jitters, overcoming the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles in four sets, 22–25, 25–23, 25–18, 25–20, to open their UAAP Season 84 campaign earlier today at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Despite a slow showing in the first set, the Lady Spikers never looked back and cruised past the defending champions Ateneo in the succeeding sets en route to their first win. Baby Jyne Soreño headed the pack with 17 points off 13 attacks, three blocks, and an ace, while rookie Alleiah Malaluan tallied 15 markers in her season debut.
In the much-awaited showdown between both squads, it was a nip-and-tuck encounter from the get-go, with both teams exchanging leads early in the first set. Leila Cruz put La Salle in front, 8–6, with a banger heading into the first technical timeout. Not long after, the Blue and White unleashed a run headed by Faith Nisperos to shift the lead, 12–10. A Lyann de Guzman off the block attack put Ateneo in front, 16–15, and from there, the defending champions maintained their advantage and claimed the first set, 25–22.
Team Captain and Setter Marionne Alba found her rhythm in the second set, distributing the ball more efficiently, thus allowing the Lady Spikers to have more options in their attacks. Similar with the previous set, it was a chess match, until an error that put La Salle behind by three, 18–21, forced Coach Ramil de Jesus to call ceasefire. The timeout proved effective as a rejection by Thea Gagate over Vanie Gandler evened the set at 22-all. Malaluan took matters into her own hands and put La Salle back in the game, 25–23.
A carbon copy of the previous sets graced the third, with the trio of Soreño, Malaluan, and Jolina Dela Cruz being unstoppable from all over the court, handing La Salle a six-point advantage, 19–13. Fifi Sharma added more to the scoring boost, while Justine Jazareno backed up the defense to secure the third, 25–18.
La Salle carried on the momentum and had a little bit of a breathing room, 10–5, after a sneaky move by Dela Cruz that evaded the blockers. In attempts of getting back in the game, the Katipunan-based squad relied heavily on Nisperos and Gandler to put them within striking distance. A sense of urgency washed over the Blue Eagles, scoring four straight points that tied the set at 18-all, urging CRDJ to call for time. La Salle finally put out the fire and capped the set, and the game, 25–20.
The Lady Spikers look to continue their winning ways as they tussle with the Adamson University (AdU) Soaring Falcons on Saturday, May 7 12PM at the same venue.
Boxscores:
DLSU 3 — Soreño 17, Malaluan 15, Gagate 11, Sharma 10, Dela Cruz 9, Cruz 3, Alba 3
Ateneo 1— Nisperos 24, De Guzman 11, Gandler 9, Miner 7, Maraguinot 1, Narit 1
