The DLSU Lady Spikers continue their strong start to the season as they remain unbeaten after overcoming a late rally by the FEU Lady Tamaraws, 25-22, 25-17, 24-26, 23-25, 15-7, earlier today at the FilOil Flying V Center.
In a hard fought victory against the Lady Tamaraws, Kim Dy provided La Salle with the offense it needed, having scored 18 points off of attacks while Dawn Macandili had 13 excellent receptions and 34 digs on the defensive side. On the other hand, Bernadeth Pons led all scorers for FEU with 21 points on 20 spikes.
Early advantage
The Lady Spikers began the match with a 5-0 run courtesy of multiple errors from the Lady Tamaraws and a kill converted by Dy. Throughout the set, FEU committed 13 unforced errors which made it easy for DLSU to maintain its lead, which reached as much as 11 points. The Lady Tamaraws, however, continued to fight back, making multiple mini-runs which cut La Salle’s lead by at least 3 points. The Taft-based squad claimed the set after FEU failed to capitalize with the momentum they had, giving up an unforced error.
The second set would start in favor of La Salle after two errors by FEU which was followed by a block and spike by Majoy Baron and Desiree Cheng, respectively. The Lady Tamaraws would give the Lady Spikers four consecutive points due to unforced errors, extending the lead of DLSU by five points.
Both teams would continue to exchange points with La Salle maintaining the lead, but FEU continued to trim down the lead. However, La Salle eventually took the set after two errors made by the Lady Tamaraws and spike by Dy, which gave the Green-and-White a two set advantage over FEU.
FEU retaliates
In what seemed to be a walk in the park for DLSU, the Lady Spikers were on the verge of closing out the team from Morayta in straight sets. Late in the third set, the Lasallians gained a 23-20 advantage, only two points away from victory. However, FEU turned things around through their lockdown floor defense. Errors were one of the significant factors that doomed La Salle in the third frame, wherein a several service aces were converted by both May Luna and Cheng.
FEU stayed within striking distance during the duration of the third set until a kill from Chinchin Basas and a spike down the line from Pons tied the game at 24-all. Finally, a block from the Tamaraws and a smart move from Pons, who dipped the ball past the blockers, gave FEU a chance to survive. Celine Domingo proved to be a significant aspect in FEU’s offense who had 12 points in the match.
The fourth set started with a quick 5-1 run from FEU, capped of with a spike from Basas, to give it a 9-5 advantage over La Salle. The veteran seemed to find her offensive rhythm flowing in the fourth canto. Momentum continued to shift to the side of the Tamaraws as they led DLSU by as much as five points. However, the collective efforts of Luna, Baron and Aduke Ogunsanya trimmed the deficit by two, 22-20. It was then followed up by a kill and an ace from Cheng to tie the game at 23 apiece. Unfortunately, a service error from the team captain, Baron, and an ace from Heather Guino-o forced a tiebreaker.
Resounding victory
Despite the comeback, the Green-and-White sealed the match and earned their third victory in the first round. FEU failed to keep up with the Lasallians midway through the deciding set as four consecutive errors, a couple from Pons, paved way to a five-point La Salle lead. Lastly, a cross-court kill from Cheng ended the set with a final score of, 15-7.
Michelle Cobb displayed signs of continuous improvement as the sophomore tallied 49 excellent sets in the winning effort. Meanwhile, Ogunsanya led the blocking department with a total of four.
The Lady Spikers will look to push their streak to four against Jaja Santiago and the NU Bulldogs on Sunday, February 18, in the same venue.
The scores:
DLSU (112) – Dy 18, Baron 16, Ogunsanya 11, Cheng 10, Tiamzon 6, Layug 2, Luna 2, Cobb 1, Barroga 0, Macandili 0, Tiu 0, Instrella 0, Saga 0, Ipac 0
FEU (97) – Pons 21, Domingo 12, Basas 11, Villareal 10, Guino-o 6, Cayuna 4, Malabanan 2, Negrito 2, Hernandez 1, Agudo 0, Caliwanan 0, Carandang 0
