La Salle holds off NU; UST triumphs
LA SALLE stared down a serious challenge from National University and hammered out a 25-20, 23-25, 24-26, 25-13, 15-8 victory to seize the lead in the UAAP Season 75 women’s volleyball tournament yesterday at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
“It was a good test to find out their heart and personality,” said Lady Archers coach Ramil de Jesus after his team notched its seventh win in eight games. “I think the team needed this.”
This come-from-behind victory is turning out to be a trend for La Salle.
The Lady Archers showed a lot of grit in coming from two sets down to frustrate fierce rival Ateneo at the end of the first round.
While the Lady Archers continued hold of the top spot, University of Santo Tomas kept pace with the leaders, turning to Maika Ortiz in a 26-24, 25-9, 19-25, 25-15 triumph over University of the Philippines.
With the win to open their second round campaign, the Tigresses posted their fifth win in eight outings to keep sight of the Lady Archers and the Lady Eagles.
La Salle continued to draw big games from its young guns, this time turning to sophomore Ara Galang, who had her best game so far with the Lady Archers.
Galang had 21 points, 17 from attacks.
The Lady Archers were sucked into the slow pace of the Lady Bulldogs, who took advantage of the power of Dindin Santiago and Cai Nepomuceno up front.
NU dropped to fifth place with a 4-4 card.
Ortiz, who is playing her final season for UST, waxed hot with 16 hits, including five service aces.
Skipper Judy Caballejo scattered 13 spikes for a 15-point output and had seven digs while Carmela Tunay added 12 hits for UST.
Katherine Bersola tossed in 11 hits, including five blocks, and Liezchel Tiu chipped in 10 points, respectively, for the Lady Maroons.
In the men’s division, Peter Torres scattered 17 of his 20 points from attacks as NU improved to 8-0 with a close 18-25, 22-25, 25-23, 25-20, 15-11 decision over UST (4-4), while Ronjay Galang’s 19 hits gave Adamson a 25-19, 25-21, 22-25, 25-15 victory over UE (1-7).
