After escaping the surging AdU Lady Falcons and sweeping the NU Lady Bulldogs in their first two games of the season, the DLSU Lady Spikers seek to extend their winning streak to three as they face the UST Tigresses at 2 pm on Sunday, November 30, at The Arena in San Juan City.
La Salle and UST have a rich history of rivalry not just in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament but in the women’s volleyball tournament as well. Way back in UAAP Season 75, it was UST who put a bitter start on the side of the Lady Spikers as they defeated the eventual three-peat champions in a grueling five-setter match during the volleyball season opening.
However, La Salle and UST went to opposite directions last season as the Tigresses did not make it to the Final Four for the second straight season while the Lady Spikers advanced to the Finals after sweeping the elimination rounds. The Tigresses were not able to register a win against La Salle during the eliminations. In the first round, they were swept by the Lady Spikers, 25-8, 27-25, 25-13. The Taft-based volleybelles did the same thing to UST in the second round as they won again by three straight sets, 25-23, 25-19, 25-19.
The Espana-based squad struggled throughout the entire season with only two wins in the first round and three wins in the second round. By the end of the tournament, UST placed sixth in the overall team standings with five wins and nine losses.
La Salle will play their third game of the season without former team captain, notable Lady Spiker Abigail Marano. Her absence seems to be a big challenge for the team that they were seen having unusual slow starts in their two previous games. The Lady Spikers also lost veteran setter Mika Esperanza this season due to an injury and this too will be a test for the team to keep everyone strong and healthy as they only have Kim Fajardo to do the veteran job as a setter.
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Meanwhile, UST Tigress Open Spiker Tricia Santos is prevented from playing this season after undergoing appendectomy just days from the season opening. Recovery from the surgery will take at least a month. Also, Beach Volleyball Rookie of the Year Rica Jane Rivera wasn’t able make it to the line-up due to an LCL injury she had suffered.
For tomorrow’s match, Lady Spikers Ara Galang, Mika Reyes, Kim Fajardo, Desiree Cheng, and Cyd Demecillo are expected to lead their team. On the other side, UST’s top scorer Pam Lastimosa, EJ Laure, and Ria Meneses are the players to be reckoned with based on their performance in their game against the UE Lady Warriors.
