MANILA – The De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers brandished its youthful roster with a 25-17, 17-25, 25-17, 25-15 triumph over archrival Ateneo Lady Eagles in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 82 Women’s Volleyball at the SM Mall of Asia Arena last night.
Ernestine Tiamzon assumed the hero’s role for the now 1-0 Lady Spikers with 17 points built on 14 attacks, two blocks and a service ace. Her teammates Jolina Dela Cruz and Thea Gagate added 14 and 10 markers, respectively.
DLSU set the tone early with a 15-9 start via consecutive hits from Dela Cruz. The lead widened to 24-16 following conversions from Tiamzon before the team managed to close out the game at the expense of Ateneo’s errors.
After dropping in the second set, DLSU struggled in finding its rhythm in the third before taking an 18-15 lead behind Dela Cruz once more. Gagate, Leila Cruz and Baby Jane Soreno then carried the cudgels for DLSU to take a 2-1 set edge.
The Lady Spikers went for the kill in the fourth set with a 20-7 start initiated by Tiamzon, Dela Cruz and Aduke Ogunsanya. Ateneo was able to rally within nine points, but the victors closed the match with a successful challenge.
In the first game of yesterday’s volleyball wars, the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons leaned on its veterans down the stretch to finish off the University of the East Lady Warriors, 25-23, 25-20, 18-25, 25-17.
After trampling the Lady Warriors in the first two sets with a mixture of veteran and youngsters, Fighting Maroons head coach Godfrey Okumu went for his “old bloods” in the fourth frame after a lackluster showing in the third canto.
Maria Lina Molde and Diana Carlos steered the Fighting Maroons to a commanding 16-9 lead in the fourth set. With the Lady Warriors chopping the deficit, Roselyn Rosier steadied the ship for UP with consecutive points to seal the victory.
Molde tallied a UAAP career-high 24 points built on 18 attacks and four blocks, while Carlos chipped in 15 markers and nine digs. Their teammates Lorie Lyn Bernardo and Maristela Layug combined for 10 markers for the now 1-1 Fighting Maroons./PN
Lord, the work is yours – Saint La Salle