Untouchable: The Lady Spikers remain victorious as they defeat UE in Round 1
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers were on fire as they shot down the University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors to continue their winning streak in Round 1. The girls in Green and White took their glory in a straight set match, 25–20, 25–21, 25–14, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The first set started off with a long rally won by UE to kick things off, but La Salle immediately bounced back. Although the Warriors didn’t let them get too far with the girls from Taft only at a two-point advantage, 8–6, by the first technical timeout (TTO). Two straight errors by the Lady Spikers had them tied, but Jolina Dela Cruz saved them with a down the line spike which gained back their momentum. The Lady Spikers fought for their five-point lead by the second TTO, 16–11.
UE struggled to catch up and DLSU shut them down as setter Julia Coronel and opposite spiker Leila Cruz came off the bench. Coronel delivered back-to-back service aces that put the Lady Spikers up 19–14, forcing UE a timeout. The Warriors regained their momentum but were soon shut down again by Dela Cruz. Thea Gagate finished it off with an A-Quick set from Team Captain Mars Alba, claiming the second, 25–20.
It was another slow start for the Lady Spikers in the second set, as the Lady Warriors gained the first point through a cross-court attack. It became a four-point lead for the Lady Warriors, 4–0, until a service error from UE gained DLSU their first point. Baby Jyne Soreno helped La Salle gain back the upper hand at 8–7 by the first TTO. It was a continuous seesaw game as Libero Justine Jazareno kept DLSU’s defensive wall high with saves that were converted to points.
Rookie Aimee Provido came in to serve at 10–9 but was shot down by an attack point from UE’s wing spiker aimed at the deep corner opening on La Salle’s side. UE’s attackers changed their tactics as they checked off La Salle’s blockers but DLSU did not let them get ahead keeping a consistent three-point lead. Service Specialist Maicah Larroza further extended La Salle’s lead to five, 21–16, with a service ace. UE tried to gain back their momentum with three straight points that forced coach Noel Orcullo to call for time. La Salle immediately responded with a quick spike by Provido. Taft Towers Thea Gagate and Leila Cruz blocked off UE’s attempts to get back to the game. Seniors Mars Alba and Jolina Dela Cruz finally ended the set with a cross-court attack, 25–21.
UE was up two at the start of the third set, but Alba immediately utilized Gagate gaining La Salle’s momentum, followed by a service ace from Dela Cruz. Star Rookie Angel Canino with back-to-back points by 5–3 which ultimately gained her 4th by the first TTO. DLSU only led by their largest margin of the game in the third set at 15–6, after failing to create a comfortable separation in the sets before.
La Salle towered over UE with back-to-back block points which caused the Warriors to timeout. DLSU seemed unfazed as they further extended their lead to 10, 18–8, their biggest lead in the whole match, and maintained this lead as the game played on. UE struggled to catch up as Provido delivered an attack in the front row. Jolina Dela Cruz the team to match-point with a solid spike and La Salle ended the match with a block point from Leila Cruz, 25–14.
Taft Tower Thea Gagate was crowned player of the game, with eight points and five blocks.
Support the DLSU Lady Spikers as they take on the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws next Saturday, March 5, 12PM at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
Box Scores:
DLSU 75 — Gagate 13, Canino 10, Dela Cruz 9, Soreño 7, Provido 6, Coronel 3, Cruz 2, Alba 1, Larroza 1, Sharma 1
UP 55 — Bangayan 14, Lana 11, Nieva 8, Cepada 7, Pelaga 2, Quizon 1
Set Score: 25–20, 25–21, 25–14
