The DLSU Lady Spikers picked up the team’s first win of the season against the Adamson Lady Falcons, 3-0, last December 8 at The Arena in San Juan to avenge DLSU’s opening loss. The team now holds a 1-1 record.
La Salle won against Adamson, 26-24, 25-19 and 25-18.
Mika Reyes led the Taft-based squad with 13 points while reigning MVP Abi Marano had another stellar performance, finishing with 12 markers. Reigning Rookie of the Year Ara Galang and two-time Best Blocker Michelle Gumabao finished with 10 and nine points respectively as eight players registered points for La Salle.
Threat subdued
In what initially looked like a rerun of the team’s loss last week, the Lady Spikers came up clutch in the first set, winning 26-24 after falling behind, 21-19. Unlike in the team’s previous match, the Taft-based ladies were calm under pressure, emerging victorious in a set that had 16 deadlocks. Reyes sealed the deal for the Taft-based squad with one of her five blocks to end the first set.
The second set was different as DLSU showed a glimpse of its championship form, leading all the way after trailing, 2-1, early on. De Jesus and his squad took the set, 25-19.
The combination of Marano, Gumabao and Galang eventually vaulted the ladies ahead of their rivals in the second set behind a steady offensive flurry.
La Salle’s mentor explained, “The whole week, we studied the game that Adamson played against NU so we became familiar with their tendencies.”
After taking the first two sets, victory seemed inevitable for the two-time defending champion, but Adamson did not give up, taking an early six point lead, 13-7. With last week’s disappointment still fresh in the team’s memory, the Lady Spikers refused to suffer another letdown as the team earned a convincing, 25-18, victory against Adamson.
The journey continues
The Lady Spikers will face an FEU squad which also sports an identical 1-1 record; FEU is coming off a 3-0 victory against UP. The two squads are set to battle on Wednesday, December 12 at 3:30 p.m. at The Arena in San Juan.
The Lady Spikers, however, will continue to look for their identity, evidenced by the team’s second straight slow start. “The seniors are still adjusting because they are used to following Cha Cruz’s lead and they are not used to being in a leadership role yet.” commented Head Coach Ramil De Jesus.
The quest for the team’s third straight championship may just be the biggest challenge the ladies from Taft would have to endure in the current era. De Jesus ended by saying, “Hopefully this game is the spark for the confidence that we lack.”
