MANILA – De La Salle University Lady Spikers continued its hot start in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball after a 25-20, 25-21, 25-14 sweep of University of the East Lady Warriors on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Thea Gagate towered for the Lady Spikers with 13 points, on eight attacks and five blocks, while Negrense rookie Angel Canino had 10 points, eight excellent receptions, and seven digs.
Jolina Dela Cruz got nine points, Jyne Soreño added seven points, and Ilongga Amie Provido produced six points off the bench as the Lady Spikers stayed on top of the standings with 4-0 slate.
The Lady Warriors showed grit in the early parts of the first two sets but the Lady Spikers were just too poised and experienced as they kept their opposition at bay in crunch time.
The Lady Warriors trailed by just three late in the first, 18-21, while even grabbing a 4-0 lead in the second but the Lady Spikers was able to finish the job on both occasions.
In the third frame, the Lady Spikers did not leave anything to chance by racing to a 15-6 dominant start to practically take the fight away from the Lady Warriors.
Despite the straight-set domination of the Lady Warriors, Lady Spikers interim head coach Noel Orcullo rued the slow start of his players in the first two sets.
“Actually, we started slow. Masyado kaming nagkampante. First two sets parang sinasabayan lang yung laro ng kalaban so hindi kami nag-stick doon sa game plan namin,” said Orcullo.
Van Bangayan led the fight for the Lady Warriors with 14 points and eight digs while Ja Lana scored 11 of her own. They suffered their fourth defeat in as many games.
Despite the Lady Warriors winning the spiking department by 10, 40-30, it was in the blocking and service categories where the Lady Spikers dominated, 15-2 and 8-1, respectively./PN
