Despite sweeping their opponents in three sets, the DLSU Lady Spikers struggled past the resilient FEU Lady Tamaraws, 29-27, 25-22, 25-23. Majoy Baron led the team with 15 points on three service aces to go along with her 10 attacks and three blocks.
Baron set the tone for the Lady Spikers from the onset, showcasing her defensive and offensive prowess at the net. At the 13-11 mark, she scored five consecutive points for her team, extending La Salle’s lead, 18-11. The Lady Spikers, however, failed to keep their opponents at bay due to their consistent errors. Soon, FEU was only trailing by one, 21-20. With the first set going to four set points, Baron closed out the set with a service ace.
The second set opened with five consecutive errors from the Lady Tamaraws which gave their opponents an early 5-3 lead. DLSU, continued to show composed defense. FEU’s Bernadeth Pons, who led her team with 12 points, continued to attack which kept her team at striking distance. Jerrili Malabanan also had seven points on four attacks in the losing effort. However, multiple attacks from Lasallians Kim Dy and Desiree Cheng, who finished with 11 and three points, respectively, kept the Tamaraws at bay.
De Jesus praised his team’s effort after the departure of Mika Reyes, Ara Galang, and Cyd Demecillo, who left big shoes to fill. Baron, Dy, and Cheng’s performances were enough for DLSU to win its opening game even with the loss of key players from last season. “Kailangan meron mag step-up,” La Salle Coach Ramil De Jesus mentioned. “Nagstep-up si Majoy, even si Kianna [Dy], even si Des [Cheng].”
In the third set, the Lady Tamaraws increased the intensity of their offense. The Lady Spikers, however, showed composure and countered FEU with its defense.
In addition to Baron’s three blocks, Aduke Ogunsanya provided a mix of offense and defense to the Green-and-White. The sophomore player had five points, three of which came from blocks.
Libero Dawn Macandili gave La Salle the floor defense it needed, but Lady Tamaraw Kyla Atienza finished with more excellent digs, 18 to outnumber Macandilli’s 11 digs.
Team captain Kim Fajardo, a last minute returnee, displayed her leadership once again on the floor. She dictated the offense of team with 35 excellent sets. The team’s play, however, was not enough for Fajardo due to the major adjustments. “Kulang pa,” Fajardo exclaims. “First game palang naman, mahaba pa. We’ll get there.”
De Jesus reiterates that some of his players need more time in knowing and fulfilling their roles and the first victory will help them gain more confidence as the season progresses.
Following the win, the Lady Spikers will face the UST Growling Tigresses next on February 11 at 4 pm at the FilOil Flying V Arena.
