UAAP Finals: Lady Spikers look to end series in decisive Game 2

One more game, and the title is theirs. One more game, and the road to redemption is complete.

In what might be their most important match of the season, the DLSU Lady Spikers will look to put away the Ateneo de Manila Lady Eagles in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 78 Women’s Volleyball Tournament Finals tomorrow at 4 pm in the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

After coming up with an impressive three-set victory over their more fancied rivals, the Lady Spikers have a chance to close out the series and clinch the championship with a victory. However, it won’t come easy this time around as the top-seeded Lady Eagles are in a win-or-go-home situation, making them dangerous opponents.

“Dapat di kami ma-satisfy sa Game 1 win lang, dapat pag-hirapan pa namin at kailangan yung tingin namin ay nasa goal pa rin,” remarked star spiker Ara Galang after the rousing victory.

Overcoming adversity

Last Saturday, the Lady Spikers came out as the Game 1 victors after defeating Ateneo in straight sets, 25-22, 25-22, 25-21. The Player of the Game title was awarded to Mika Reyes after she scored 13 points on six blocks. Meanwhile, Kim Dy top-scored for La Salle as she finished with 15 points on 11 attacks, while Galang and MaJoy Baron added 10 points each. On the other hand, Alyssa Valdez scored a game-high 17 points on 15 attacks to lead ADMU in a losing effort.

The Lady Eagles grabbed an early 7-1 lead in the first set that the Lady Spikers easily turned into an 11-all tie. The two teams traded points while keeping the scores close. However, La Salle made a run that allowed them to pull away and take the opening set at 25-22. The second frame saw DLSU trailing Ateneo for the most part, but a late rally from La Salle enabled them to claim the second set, also at 25-22. Contrary to the previous sets, it was DLSU who went and took the lead early into the third set. Without letting ADMU take their advantage away, the Lady Spikers capped the set and match at 25-21.

The two teams performed relatively on the same level as the Lady Spikers finished with 41 attacks and five aces, while the Lady Eagles made 37 attacks and four aces. However, it was the huge gap between the number of excellent blocks made by each team that made the difference, with La Salle making 13 blocks in contrast to Ateneo’s two.

Key insights

DLSU head coach Ramil de Jesus saw a lot of positives from his squad in Game 1. Among other things, he liked the confidence and the composure his team showed, never panicking despite playing catch-up throughout the match.

“Napaka-importante kasi bumalik lahat ng tiwala ng mga player ko. Napakahirap kasi makuha nun eh, lalo na pag defending champion kalaban mo,” de Jesus explained.

One factor DLSU attributes to their stellar play is the competition given to them by their semifinals opponent, the FEU Lady Tamaraws, who took them to the limit in their Final Four match-up. They nullified the Taft-based squad’s advantage by stealing Game 1 in a five-set thriller, forcing them into a rubber match that La Salle eventually won.

“Siguro blessing in disguise na siya since preparation din siya. Ginising kami para hindi namin makalimutan yung goal namin,” said Galang on how the Lady Tamaraws kept them in game shape heading into the finals.

Battle of the best

Heading into the pivotal match, the UAAP released the list of the top individual performers during the elimination round. Highlighting the list are several players currently gutting it out in the championship series, with both squads dominating the individual honors.

Ateneo’s Valdez was adjudged as this year’s Most Valuable Player. In addition to this, she was also the league’s Top Scorer and Best Server, proving her status as the UAAP’s top offensive player.

On the other end, La Salle had three players who figured in the awards list. Libero Dawn Macandili was named the tourney’s Best Digger and Best Receiver, while team captain Kim Fajardo was awarded as this season’s Best Setter. Rounding out the Lasallian awardees was Baron, who earned the Best Blocker accolade.

With respective goals to boost their games, the two rival teams will give it their all in their second meeting of the finals round. Will La Salle finally claim the championship title and dethrone their rivals? Or will Ateneo make a comeback to force a Game 3 for a chance to defend their crown?