After handing the DLSU Lady Spikers their first loss earlier in the season, La Salle managed to exact revenge with a three-set win against the NU Lady Bulldogs earlier today at the FilOil Flying V Centre, 27-25, 27-25, 25-16. The victory gives La Salle a 6-2 win-loss record, tying with NU at the top of the standings at the start of the second round of the UAAP.
“One week yung training namin. Siguro may added motivation na ‘Uy natalo tayo ng NU nung first round.’ Siguro naging tatak ng La Salle kapag natalo, babawi kami,” commented Kim Kianna Dy as she led DLSU with 14 points on nine attacks to go along with three service aces. Meanwhile, the Lady Bulldogs were able to keep up with the defending champions after Jaja Santiago recorded a total of 13 points on 11 attacks, and two blocks in the losing effort.
Strong from the get-go
NU started the game aggressively on the offensive end as they scored the first two points. Nonetheless, the service errors of Lady Bulldog Jasmine Nabor and Roselyn Doria, were a key aspect that made sure the Lady Spikers were not too behind in the game. NU led the first set almost throughout, but the Lasallians went on a 7-1 run led by Majoy Baron’s attacks and Desiree Cheng’s service aces. This served to be the turning point in the set that placed La Salle at par with 24-all. The first set went to the Lady Spikers after three consecutive errors by Santiago at the crucial part of the set.
The second set started similarly to the previous one as NU showed why they are currently at the top of the standings as they went on an early 5-0 run. Coach Ramil de Jesus then brought in May Luna, who immediately scored for DLSU. Despite leading the game at the first technical timeout, the Lady Bulldogs were not able to keep the team from Taft from scoring as they went on an 11-2 run, courtesy of Dy. Similarly, the set ended with the same scoreline as the previous one, as Cheng led the Green-and-White to its second set win with two successful attacks.
Finishing strong
Carrying on their momentum from their two set wins, Tin Tiamzon led the Lady Spikers at the third set as they kept their opponent at bay as they led at the first technical timeout. At the same time, the combination of Dy and Baron’s attacks gave DLSU a six-point lead early on, 15-9. Nevertheless, with the help of Santiago, NU was able to trim the deficit to three as she continued to block out the attacks of Tiamzon and Cheng.
Despite the short run, the Lady Bulldog’s efforts were halted as DLSU continued to take advantage of NU’s errors to claim victory. Consecutive errors from Santiago and Jorelle Singh along with a spike from Arriane Layug sent La Salle to its sixth win in the season.
“’Di relax yung bawat players so sabi ko sakanila kapag ganun halos tayo na nagbibigay ng score sa kalaban,” De Jesus remarked on how he sees the performance of the Lady Spikers today. “So nakita naman nila yun sa second set medyo tight parin so nag-relax lang siguro sa third set na. And yung maganda kasi andun naman talaga yung kapit kahit nung Ateneo game naman, medyo malayo na yung score ng Ateneo pero kapag gusto nila kumapit, nakakakapit talaga sila.”
The team will try to win once more as they go up against the UP Lady Maroons on Wednesday, March 14, at the same venue at 2 pm.
The scores
DLSU 79 – Dy 14, Cheng 13, Baron 11, Ogunsanya 9, Tiamzon 6, Layug 2, Cobb 2, Luna 1, Saga 0, Macandili 0
NU 66 – Santiago 13, Sato 11, Nabor 5, Dora 5, Urdas 4, Paran 2, Dormal 1, Singh 1, Valdez 0
