La Salle Lady Spikers a win away from volleyball title

MANILA, Philippines – The La Salle Lady Spikers took advantage of the inexperienced Ateneo Lady Eagles in a scintillating Game 2 of the UAAP Women’s Volleyball Finals at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Just one win away from their second title, the DLSU Lady Spikers prevailed in the second, third and fourth sets with the scores at: 23-25, 25-21, 26-24 and 25-18.

Trailing by as much as 6 points midway in the third set, the DLSU Lady Spikers leaned on the heroics of this year’s Rookie of the Year Ara Galang for a come-from-behind assault to take a 2-1 lead.

DLSU bounced back from a sorry 4-set loss last Wednesday. The Ateneo Lady Eagles snapped the 14-game winning run of their archnemesis. The Lady Eagles will try to spoil De La Salle’s bid of clinching their 7th overall title.

More aggressive play

“Maganda ang naging blocking namin at naging mas aggressive ang mga bata. Naging mabait yung mga bata [sa Game 1] kaya kailangang maibalik yung aggressiveness sa paglalaro,” said Lady Archers mentor Ramil de Jesus. (We had good blocking and the girls were more aggressive. They were kinder in Game 1 that’s why they had to aggressive again in their play.)
    
Proving that she deserves the Best Blocker award this season, Michelle Gumabao tallied 5 blocks across her name, finishing the game with 18 points. Charleen Cruz and Ara Galang chipped in 12 points apiece.

Though adjudged as the Most Valuable Player this season, Abigail Maraño struggled on both ends as she finished with a season-low tying 7 points.

“Hindi niya expected na manalo siya ng MVP kaya nagkaganyan.  Pero maganda din ang ipinakita ni Galang,” added DLSU’s mentor. (She didn’t expect to win the MVP award that’s why she turned out that way. But Galang also played well.)

Inexperience

Alyssa Valdez led all scorers from the Lady Eagles’ camp with 23, while Fille Cainglet added 13. Dzi Gervacio also finished in double figures with 10.

On their heart-breaking loss, Ateneo coach Roger Gorayeb said, “Lumabas ang pagkabata nila. Sayang dahil dapat panalo kami sa third set.” The Lady Eagles were ahead 16-10 midway in the third frame. (Their inexperience showed. Too bad, we could have won the third set.)

Ateneo recovered, 24-22 when Cainglet went for the kill but this was countered with 3 straight points from Mika Reyes including two service aces. Cha Cruz supported with her own vengeance as the Lady Archers claimed the third set.

Morale-boosters

“Medyo mabait the last time, nawala yung attitude sa loob. Di naman tinuturo sa kanila na maging wild, ang importante ma-boost ang morale ng teammates.” said DLSU coach Ramil de Jesus, whose charges will shoot for the crown on Wednesday. (They were a bit kind the last time, they lost the attitude inside. They’re not taught to be wild. What’s important is to boost the morale of their teammates.)

Earlier, FEU’s Rosemarie Vargas was awarded the Best Scorer award, while teammates Christine Agno and Gyzelle Sy were named Best Digger and Best Setter, respectively.

Adamson’s Angelica Vasquez won the Best Receiver plum, while UST’s Maika Ortiz went home with the Best Attacker award. – Rappler.com