UAAP: Lady Spikers succumb to UST, finish first runner-up

The run for the championship title came up short for the DLSU Lady Spikers as they were defeated by the UST Tigresses in the Game Three of the UAAP Season 77 Women’s Beach Volleyball finals.

Though the Lady Spikers failed to clinch La Salle’s first beach volleyball championship, they were able to improve their record from last season’s fourth place finish.

At the beginning of the first set, multiple errors committed by UST put the Lady Spikers at an advantage, 4-1. Both teams scored points as they exchanged good attacks. DLSU held on to their lead until they were outscored by the Lady Tigresses who had racked up 10 consecutive points from their smart plays and La Salle’s errors. The Lady Spikers tried to catch up, but the Tigresses maintained their seven point lead throughout the set. A one-two attack from Cherry Rondina gave UST the first set, 21-15.

In the second set, reserve player Ara Galang went in for Cyd Demecillo as the latter could no longer endure the wound she incurred in yesterday’s game. Galang produced a couple of good attacks but UST’s Rondina was just unstoppable in the offensive end. The Tigresses made a 6-1 run to take an eight point advantage, 12-4, but the lead later on ballooned to 10, 16-6.

UST continued to play smart against the Lady Spikers. La Salle remained silent in the latter end of the game as the Tigresses managed to take the championship point, 20-10. A service error by Kim Fajardo ended the match to crown UST as the new champion, 21-15, 21-11.

Lady Spikers head coach Ramil De Jesus shared after the game that he is somehow satisfied with the result of the tournament as they were able to surpass their fourth place finish last season. He adds, “Malaking help na rin yun para sa over-all championship.”

Behind UST and La Salle are last season’s champions AdU Lady Falcons as the second runner-ups. On the other hand, the NU Bulldogs won their third straight championship in the Men’s Division while the UST Growling Tigers and the AdU Soaring Falcons were the first and second runner-ups respectively. Rondina of UST and Josephenry Tipay of NU were hailed as the Most Valuable Players while UE’s Edward Camposano and UST’s Rica Rivera were the Rookies of the Year.