The DLSU Lady Spikers found unexpected heroes in rookie Christine Joy Soyud and two other bench players after defeating the feisty UP Lady Maroons in four sets, 25-27, 25-20, 25-23, 25-10, earlier today at The Arena in San Juan City.
Soyud showed her volleyball prowess with a season high 16 points off 13 attacks, one block and two service aces while bench player Mary Joy Baron scored a career high of 13 points. Carol Cerveza was also on fire for the second straight game as she added nine points to the victory.
“Nagulat ako kasi nagperform ng maayos,” Lady Spikers head coach Ramil De Jesus comments about Soyud’s performance in today’s game.
The Lady Spikers started the first set with an early 4-0 advantage but UP’s Arianne Ilustre was able to score through the block to finally break the silence of the Lady Maroons. La Salle benefited once again from their sharp serves as Desiree Cheng scored back-to-back service aces, 11-6. The Taft-based squad held on to a seven point lead until UP rallied back to cut the lead to just three, 20-17, forcing head coach Ramil De Jesus to call a time out.
La Salle committed crucial errors while the Lady Maroons relied on the attacks of Ilustre and Vina Alinas, tying the game at 23-all. The Lady Spikers blocked an attack from UP to take the set point, 25-24. However, Cyd Demecillo’s serve was too strong and went out. Ara Galang was blocked by UP for the set point, 26-25. Lady Maroons team captain Nicole Tiamzon finally scored the last point to take the first set, 27-25.
The Diliman-based squad was able to keep their momentum in the second set, taking a four point lead, 10-6. Both squads exchanged points for almost the entire set. Soyud and Cerveza led the Lady Spikers while Alinas and Tiamzon took the charge for the Lady Maroons. La Salle was able to return to the top with a 5-0 run behind their solid blocking, giving them back the lead, 22-19. Cerveza scored through an attack to tie the game at one set apiece, 25-20.
La Salle started the third set strong and Cerveza and Soyud continued to play consistently for their squad. The Lady Spikers led by as much as five points but the Lady Maroons slowly chased after them until UP’s Hannah Mangulabnan scored a service ace to tie the game at 21-all. Soyud scored all three points to prevent another collapse for La Salle and to put them at set point, 24-23. The Lady Spikers made a triple block against UP’s attack to take the set, 25-23.
Set four was a different story though as UP lost the intensity that they exhibited in the first three sets. They committed several errors and were unable to execute solid attacks. Soyud, Baron, and Cerveza continued their hot streak in the court to give La Salle a seven point lead, 12-5. The Lady Spikers had an 8-0 run behind the attacks of Mika Reyes and Soyud and the service ace of Kim Fajardo. The Green-and-White finally ended the match, 25-10.
Coach Ramil De Jesus commended Cerveza for playing well once again and stepping up for the Lady Spikers. “Lagi naman siyang nandiyan. Yun yung maganda sa kanya kasi anytime mo mahugot, andun yung quality game [niya], he adds.
The Lady Spikers will try to extend their winning streak to three when they face the NU Lady Bulldogs on Saturday, January 31, 4pm at The Arena in San Juan City.
Soyud showed her volleyball prowess with a season high 16 points off 13 attacks, one block and two service aces while bench player Mary Joy Baron scored a career high of 13 points. Carol Cerveza was also on fire for the second straight game as she added nine points to the victory.
“Nagulat ako kasi nagperform ng maayos,” Lady Spikers head coach Ramil De Jesus comments about Soyud’s performance in today’s game.
The Lady Spikers started the first set with an early 4-0 advantage but UP’s Arianne Ilustre was able to score through the block to finally break the silence of the Lady Maroons. La Salle benefited once again from their sharp serves as Desiree Cheng scored back-to-back service aces, 11-6. The Taft-based squad held on to a seven point lead until UP rallied back to cut the lead to just three, 20-17, forcing head coach Ramil De Jesus to call a time out.
La Salle committed crucial errors while the Lady Maroons relied on the attacks of Ilustre and Vina Alinas, tying the game at 23-all. The Lady Spikers blocked an attack from UP to take the set point, 25-24. However, Cyd Demecillo’s serve was too strong and went out. Ara Galang was blocked by UP for the set point, 26-25. Lady Maroons team captain Nicole Tiamzon finally scored the last point to take the first set, 27-25.
The Diliman-based squad was able to keep their momentum in the second set, taking a four point lead, 10-6. Both squads exchanged points for almost the entire set. Soyud and Cerveza led the Lady Spikers while Alinas and Tiamzon took the charge for the Lady Maroons. La Salle was able to return to the top with a 5-0 run behind their solid blocking, giving them back the lead, 22-19. Cerveza scored through an attack to tie the game at one set apiece, 25-20.
La Salle started the third set strong and Cerveza and Soyud continued to play consistently for their squad. The Lady Spikers led by as much as five points but the Lady Maroons slowly chased after them until UP’s Hannah Mangulabnan scored a service ace to tie the game at 21-all. Soyud scored all three points to prevent another collapse for La Salle and to put them at set point, 24-23. The Lady Spikers made a triple block against UP’s attack to take the set, 25-23.
Set four was a different story though as UP lost the intensity that they exhibited in the first three sets. They committed several errors and were unable to execute solid attacks. Soyud, Baron, and Cerveza continued their hot streak in the court to give La Salle a seven point lead, 12-5. The Lady Spikers had an 8-0 run behind the attacks of Mika Reyes and Soyud and the service ace of Kim Fajardo. The Green-and-White finally ended the match, 25-10.
Coach Ramil De Jesus commended Cerveza for playing well once again and stepping up for the Lady Spikers. “Lagi naman siyang nandiyan. Yun yung maganda sa kanya kasi anytime mo mahugot, andun yung quality game [niya], he adds.
The Lady Spikers will try to extend their winning streak to three when they face the NU Lady Bulldogs on Saturday, January 31, 4pm at The Arena in San Juan City.
