UAAP volleyball: La Salle gets twice-to-beat advantage, Ateneo gains semis

MANILA, Philippines – With their much-awaited rematch in the horizon, archrivals De La Salle University and Ateneo de Manila University both scored easy victories to distance themselves from trailers in the 75th UAAP women’s volleyball tournament.

Two-time defending champion La Salle extended its winning run to 11 after blasting hapless University of the Philippines in straight sets at the FilOil Flying V Arena, Wednesday, February 6.

The Lady Spikers were efficient in its 25-15, 25-14, 25-13 dismantling of the Lady Maroons, with reigning league MVP Abi Maraño firing 13 points off 10 hits, two blocks and an ace as La Salle improved to 11-1.

More importantly, the Taft-based crew notched the first of two twice-to-beat advantages in the Final Four, thereby strengthening their chances of achieving a rare three-peat.

Mika Reyes, Michele Gumabao and Wensh Tiu tallied nine, eight and seven points, respectively, for the Lady Spikers, who came up with 42 hits to UP’s 25.

Rookie Aliyah Ong led the Lady Maroons with 10 points but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Diliman-based squad from sliding to their 11th straight defeat.

In the curtain-raiser, Ateneo de Manila University solidified its own bid for a top-two finish after crushing University of the East, 25-11, 25-14, 25-22 to hike their record to 9-3.

After losing three straight games, the Lady Eagles have won their last three as tournament scoring leader Alyssa Valdez continued her tear through the UAAP with 19 points spiked by 15 hits, two blocks and two aces.

Skipper Dzi Gervacio added 10 points highlighted by four blocks while Fille Cainglet, who’s still recovering from her injury, chipped in with eight markers as Ateneo widened their lead over third-ranked Adamson University (7-4).

Leuseht Dawis paced the Lady Warriors with 11 points off seven kills, three blocks and an ace even as Shiesa Nebrida and Faith Bulan posted six apiece for UE, which crumbled to 0-12. – Rappler.com