In their third game of the season, the DLSU Lady Spikers fell to the UP Lady Maroons in three straight sets, 25-22, 25-21, 25-19, at the FilOil Flying V Centre. DLSU steps down to a 2-1 record while UP advances to 3-0 to share the top spot in the tournament with the NU Lady Bulldogs.
Majoy Baron and Kim Dy led the Lady Spikers with nine points each off 15 and 24 attempts, respectively, in the losing effort. Baron also recorded three blocks to add to Aduke Ogunsaya’s three rejections. UP’s sweep of the reigning champions can be credited to Nicole Tiamzon, who scored 16 points off her 41 attempts.
With this game being their first meeting of the year, both teams looked slow from the onset. Trailing 5-4 in the first set, UP quickly took control with a seven-point run to lead the Lady Spikers, 12-4. The Lady Maroons recorded two service aces in the run to show how La Salle lacked stability early on.
As UP continued to dominate in the first set, the Lady Spikers attempted to bounce back by going on a run of their own, scoring six straight points to bring their team to striking distance, 16-14. DLSU, however, broke down and gave their opponents seven easy points, six of which were errors committed in their attempts to attack. UP closed the opening set after rejecting Ernestine Tiamzon’s spike attempt, 25-22.
Desperate to bring momentum back to their side, DLSU jumped to a 5-1 lead early in the second set. However, UP retaliated with four straight points to equalize the score, 5-5. From there on, La Salle’s woes only continued throughout the set. Although UP committed more errors in the second set, DLSU was still unable to keep up with the Lady Maroons’ offense, allowing 16 attacks compared to their eight.
La Salle was unable to regain momentum following UP’s run which allowed the Lady Maroons to go on a 6-0 run, giving them a 16-10 advantage. From there, both teams traded blows until UP finally closed out the set, 25-21.
Down two sets, the Lady Spikers were determined to fight back, controlling majority of the third set early on. UP was not to be denied, however, as they easily regained momentum to tie the last set, 10-all. DLSU’s inexperience continued to show. Despite the 33 excellent sets put up by Kim Fajardo, their attackers were not able to connect. Offensively, they were out of sync, although their blocking at the net, as well as their floor defense, was able to keep up with UP. The Lady Maroons finished the match, preventing any comeback from DLSU, 25-18.
The Lady Spikers will hope to bounce back in their next game, despite the challenge of going up against the NU Lady Bulldogs, who currently hold a 3-0 record. They will next take the court at the FilOil Flying V Centre on Sunday, February 19, at 4 pm.
