UAAP: Lady Spikers overpower UP to earn twice-to-beat advantage

The DLSU Lady Spikers went back to their dominant winning ways after sweeping the UP Lady Maroons, 25-15, 25-23, 25-12, earlier today at the Arena in San Juan. The victory was the Lady Spikers’ 11th straight win of the season and it secured them a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four. Ara Galang was the best player of the game finishing with 12 attacks, three service aces and two blocks.

Despite being happy with the win and the twice-to-beat advantage, head coach Ramil de Jesus was setting his sights on something more prestigious.

“Mas maganda kung thrice-to-beat advantage,” de Jesus said with a laugh.

UP opened the scoring for both teams by giving DLSU a taste of their own medicine, blocking DLSU’s attack to grab the first lead of the game. Despite a good start, UP suffered several errors in their attacking area, giving La Salle the lead for most of the first set. Led by team captain Abigail Marano and Galang, the Lady Spikers continued to silence their opponents and finally took the set, 25-15 courtesy of an attack by Marano.

The second set appeared to be similar to that of their last game against FEU, as the game suddenly turned to UP’s favor. The Lady Maroons were fired up by team captain Angeli Araneta and Kathy Bersola who tallied a total of 11 and 10 points respectively. UP scored six straight points and increased their lead to seven, 10-3. The Lady Spikers sought the prowess of Marano, Galang, and Cyd Demecillo to cut the lead to just one, 11-10, courtesy of a 5-1 run. However, the Lady Maroons benefited from a couple of DLSU’s attacking errors that gave them a four point lead at 18-14. The Lady Spikers took it one point at a time and tied the game at 20 with a block from Marano. Marano also made a running attack that gave the Lady Spikers set point. UP still tried to catch up with back-to-back points coming from Bersola. However, a Demecillo attack stopped the Lady Maroons and sealed the second set in favor of the Lady Spikers, 25-23.

The Lady Spikers were able to easily move on in the third set after a tight second set. They opened the set with a 4-0 run and scored six straight points to put themselves ahead by 10, 12-2. Despite accumulating a few outside hits, the Lady Spikers never looked back and  continued to lead for the rest of the game. Majoy Baron was effective in the front line as she scored two attacks for the Lady Spikers. The ladies from Taft didn’t waste any point as a La Salle block ended the match, 25-12.

Up next for the Lady Spikers are the UST Tigresses whom they will face on February 8, 2013 at 4pm in the Arena in San Juan. De Jesus is determined to finish the entire elimination round with a clean slate now that they hold the coveted twice-to-beat advantage.