MANILA – Three-peat seeking La Salle advanced to the Final Four after a 25-8, 25-14, 25-12 rout of University of the East in the UAAP Season 80 women’s volleyball tournament on Saturday at The Arena in San Juan.
Skipper Majoy Baron scored 13 and Kim Dy had 11 points for the Lady Spikers, who extended its winning run to five and improved to 9-2 to book its ninth straight semis appearance.
But La Salle coach Ramil de Jesus does not want to focus on the Final Four just yet.
“Sa ngayon hindi ko pa iniisip ang Final Four basta ang iniisip ko ’pag may dumating na kalaban paghandaan,” said the 10-time UAAP champion coach.
“Bumawi doon sa mga bumawi sa amin noong first round so ’yon muna ang goal namin and then kung kakayanin ma-sweep ang second round isa ’yon sa mga goals namin,” added De Jesus, glad to see the Lady Spikers get back at the Lady Warriors, who won their first-round match in four sets.
“Well after siguro ng mga losses namin noong first round siguro nakita nila ’yong problema and unti-unti namin binuo ’yon, ’yong goal,” said de Jesus.
“Sa nakikita ko ngayon mas determined silang manalo every game and nakita na nila kung ano ang role nila as a player inside the court,” he added.
La Salle dominated UE in attacks 39-12, had nine points on blocks against two by the Lady Warriors, and also had five service aces against one by the bottom team in the one-hour and nine-minute match.
“Kasi kapag nagkaroon ng chance ang team na tapusin ng straight sets pinipilit namin pero kung hindi talaga kaya ang goal namin ’yung manalo na lang eh,” said de Jesus.
La Salle will face University of Santo Tomas on April 8 after a two-week break, Adamson University on April 11 and Ateneo on April 15.
Shaya Adorador scored 5 points for Lady Warriors, out of contention with a 2-10 win-loss record. (SPIN.ph)
