After an impressive win to begin their UAAP Season 78 campaign, the DLSU Lady Spikers are looking to build on their newfound momentum when they take on the UP Lady Maroons this Saturday, 2 pm, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
The Lady Spikers wasted no time in proving that they are among the teams to beat this year, sweeping the FEU Lady Tamaraws last Wednesday in three sets, 29-27, 25-23, 25-20. Falling behind early in the first set, La Salle came back with a flourish to win three hard-fought rounds.
Mika Reyes led the Green-and-White with 13 points off 12 spikes to bag best scorer honors. Carol Cerveza added 10 points, while Majoy Baron had eight to aid in the winning cause. Ara Galang also scored 10 points in her first game back since suffering a knee injury in last year’s Final Four.
It wasn’t much different for the Lady Maroons with regards to how their first game turned out. Facing the UE Lady Warriors, the Diliman-based squad finished them in three straight sets, 25-20, 25-13, 25-21. Relying on a balanced attack, UP had five players with seven or more points in the match. Justine Dorog, Nicole Tiamzon, and Diana Carlos each had nine points, while Katherine Bersola and Marian Buistre had seven each in the emphatic victory.
![DLSU vs UP (Preview) []](http://thelasallian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/DLSU-vs-UP-Preview--705x467.jpg)
Last season’s encounters ended largely in DLSU’s favor. In their first round meeting, the Lady Spikers swept their foes, 25-16, 25-20, 25-21. While the second game didn’t end up in a sweep, the Lady Maroons still lost, 25-27, 25-20, 25-23, 25-10. Ultimately, the two squads ended up in different positions in Season 77, with La Salle making it to the finals as opposed to UP’s sixth-place finish.
Regardless of previous game scores, both schools will be entering a whole new ball game this Saturday. With all the teams stepping up this season, every game counts and losing will not be an option.
