La Salle dispatches FEU to win fifth straight

MANILA, Philippines – The De La Salle University Lady Spikers improved to 5-0 in the UAAP Season 77 women’s volleyball tournament by defeating the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, 25-16, 21-25, 25-23, 25-22, on Wednesdayevening, December 10, at The Arena in San Juan City.

Ara Galang led the Lady Spikers with 22 points, 19 of which coming from attack points, while Cyd Demecillo put up 12 points and Mika Reyes posted 17 markers – seven from blocks. As a team, DLSU had more block points than FEU (now 2-3), 10-6. The Lady Tamaraws also hurt themselves with errors, committing 23, while their opponents had just 27. 

La Salle didn’t take time to establish an early lead against FEU by jumping off to a 9-1 edge in the first set. FEU managed to find their offense not long after, but was unable to contain the scoring of Galang. Late in the first period, the Lady Spikers were up 21-10, and cruised to an easy set win.

Thanks to Bernadeth Pons, who came off the bench to register a team-high 22 points for FEU, the Lady Tamaraws took a 12-10 lead a little under midway through the second set. La Salle tried to bounce back, but committed errors that allowed their opponents to go ahead 19-14. Pons and company then took control the rest of the way to tie the contest at one set apiece. 

FEU opened a three-point lead early in the third set, but DLSU rallied behind Galang’s scoring and Reyes’ defensive stops to re-take the lead. The contest became close again as the Lady Spikers held on to a 20-19 lead, but a couple of timely conversions by Reyes gave La Salle the set win.

DLSU looked en route to an easy win in the fourth set as they led 18-11 at one point, but Pons and her timely scores helped cut the deficit to one, 23-22. However, the Lady Tamaraws were unable to complete the comeback as Reyes converted two middle spike scores to seal the game.

Scores: 

DLSU (96): Galang 22, Reyes 17, Demecillo 12, Cheng 6, Baron 3, Fajardo 2, Dy 1, Soyud 1, Macandili (L) 0, Cruz Ci (L) 0

FEU (86): Pons 22, Pasas 12, Malabanan 8, Casugun 7, Dawson 4, Palma 4, Papa 1, Simborio 1, Agno (L) 0

Set Scoring: 25-16, 21-25, 25-23, 25-22

– Rappler.com