The DLSU Lady Spikers slide down to the third spot after losing the playoff against the UST Golden Tigresses in four sets, 14-25, 23-25, 25-23, 19-25, earlier today at the FilOil Flying V Centre. With the loss, the team from Taft will have to beat the team from España twice in the semifinals.
Since Season 71, the Lady Spikers have always been able to clinch the twice-to-beat edge in the women’s volleyball tournament. The last time the Green-and-White failed to claim the advantage was in Season 70 when they were in the third seat for the Final Four matchups. Today, they relived that fate.
Topping all scorers was UST team captain Sisi Rondina with 29 points on 25 attacks, two blocks, and two service aces. Eya Laure also chipped in 17 points with 15 attacks, one service ace, and one block.
In the losing effort, rookie Jolina Dela Cruz was the lone archer who scored in double digits after recording 12 points on nine attacks and three kill blocks.
Quiet start
The Golden Tigresses dominated the Lady Spikers as the duo of Laure and skipper Rondina attacked and utilized all corners of the court. On the other hand, Dela Cruz and Ernestine Tiamzon tried to stop the bleeding to help the cause of DLSU, 9-6. However, UST’s Rondina pushed her team toward the end of the first set, 19-12. A powerful spike from Laure gave the team from España the first set, 25-14.
Warming up
The opening moments of the second set saw a different momentum compared to the first set. A service error from UST and a spike from Aduke Ogunsanya gave the early lead to the Green-and-White, 2-0. From there, Rondina and Laure converted multiple attacks to help the Gold-and-Black, 15-7. Des Clemente, who found help from Luna, tried to power through for DLSU as they kept the set within reach for the team, 24-23. Similar to the first set, Laure powered through for UST, giving the team from España the second set, 25-23.
Relentless third set
The Lady Spikers woke up just in time as team captain Des Cheng and Dela Cruz contributed to their team, attacking from all angles, 6-1. Rondina paved the way for UST as she chipped in blocks and attacks for her team, 8-7. However, the team from Taft worked as a team and delivered points to widen their lead over their opponent. The set ended in favor of La Salle through an attack error coming from Laure, 25-23.
Silent end
Rondina and Laure came alive in the fourth set as they powered through the blockers of La Salle. Multiple miscommunication errors on the side of the Green-and-White gave away points in favor of UST. A highly contested point was awarded to UST after Laure attacked across the court, giving the match to UST at 25-19.
“Siguro mag-prepare nalang po ulit,” Dela Cruz said when asked about their next plan coming into the semifinals.
The DLSU Lady Spikers will try to defend their title on Sunday, May 4, at 4 pm at the Mall of Asia Arena. They will have to defeat the UST Golden Tigresses twice to advance to the finals.
The scores:
DLSU (81) – Dela Cruz 12, Luna 9, Cheng 9, Clemente 7, Ogunsanya 7, Cobb 3, Tiamzon 3
UST (98) – Rondina 29, Laure 17, Jimenez 8, Viray 7, Galdones 4, Bicar 3
