Coming off two straight sweeps, the DLSU Lady Spikers recorded another sweep after defeating the UE Lady Warriors, 25-18, 25-14, 25-16, earlier today at the FilOil Flying V Centre. Struggles continued for UE as they recorded their sixth straight loss to begin the season. Meanwhile, La Salle improves to a 5-1 win-loss record.
Kim Dy led the streaking Lasallians with 12 points on 11 attacks and a service ace. Tin Tiamzon, who recorded nine spikes and two blocks, chipped in 11 points for the Green-and-White. In the losing effort, Mary Anne Mendrez scored nine points off eight attacks and a service ace for the Lady Warriors.
“Mas gusto nila manalo,” head coach Ramil De Jesus commented on his players. “Kasi mahirap yung galing ka sa talo tapos biglang babangon ka.”
First set
The Lady Spikers seemed to carry their momentum off their previous win against the AdU Lady Falcons last Wednesday, jumping to an early 10-2 lead after starting the game with a 7-0 run. Their offense was fluid as they were able to find excellent scoring opportunities.
After a kill from Aduke Ogunsanya which extended the La Salle lead to 10 points, 14-4, UE’s Shaya Adorador returned the favor with another kill which caught the DLSU blockers off guard to spark a 5-0 run by the Lady Warriors to cut the lead to 14-9.
Both sides showed potent offense and defense. Despite entering their match-up winless, the Lady Warriors showed that they were still a force to be reckoned with as they displayed their prowess on defense. It was not enough, however, as their errors near the end of the first set cost them a 4-0 run by their opponents to close the set, 25-18.
Second and third sets
Neither team was able to carry their intensity from the prior set as they traded errors in the early goings of the second. Both sides recorded six errors before the first technical timeout of the second set.
A service error by UE’s Judith Abil at 7-all instigated an 8-0 run by the Lady Spikers. Relying on their blocking, which was non-existent in the first set, the Lady Spikers were backed up by Majoy Baron. She scored eight points in the game and gave UE’s hitters much difficulty. Dy continued her ferocity on offense which was brought about by the playmaking of Kim Fajardo, who recorded 41 excellent sets.
The Lady Warriors were stagnant on offense in the second set as majority of their points came off La Salle’s errors. “Actually, we’re still in the adjustment stage,” De Jesus said in English and Filipino. “I still noticed a few unforced errors, like in service. It’s still lacking.” Despite this, DLSU continued to dominate and finish the set, 25-14.
The third set started off slow with both teams trading blows, with the two sides reaching a deadlock at 8-all. However, UE’s errors got the better of the Lady Warriors. DLSU went on another run, scoring four straight points off a number of miscues by the Lady Warriors. Despite the Lasallians being slow in reacting to their opponent’s offense, they were able to make up for it with their own potent offensive play, and finished the game, 25-16.
The Lady Spikers will next face their archrivals, the ADMU Lady Eagles, whom they defeated in last year’s finals. Their momentum from this game will be vital, as De Jesus stated, “Napalaking tulong itong pakapanalo naming straight set against UE. At least, kahit papaano may paghuhugutan yung mga bata pagdating ng Saturday game. (This straight-set win against UE was a big help. Somehow, they will be able to draw from it come Saturday’s game.)”
The DLSU-ADMU rivalry will continue on Saturday, March 4, at 4 pm in the Mall of Asia Arena.
The scores:
DLSU 75- Dy 12, Tiamzon 11, Baron 8, Ogunsanya 7, Cheng 6, Luna 2, Fajardo 2
UE 48- Mendrez 9, Abil 8, Adorador 4, Alcayde 3, Baliton 2, Catindig 1, Dacaymat 1
