UAAP Volleyball: La Salle drops a set but ends strong vs gritty FEU

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MANILA, Philippines—Far Eastern University made the defending champions sweat, but La Salle still came out with a 25-11, 23-25, 25-20, 25-10 win Wednesday in the UAAP season 76 women’s volleyball tournament at the Arena in San Juan City.

After dropping a set for the first time the season, the Lady Spikers left a reminder that they were still the league’s most dominating squad with a brilliant 17-2 run in the fourth to seal the match.

“I was waiting for it to happen [this set loss],” coach Ramil De Jesus admitted. “Our toughness was tested but I saw how my players held on in the third set [after the second set loss].”

La Salle improved to 10-0, while De Jesus bagged his 200th win as the Lady Spikers’ head coach.

Mika Reyes and Ara Galang helped restore order for La Salle, with 11 points apiece, while vocal leader Aby Maraño, Alex Tan, who came off the bench, and Cy Demecillo added nine points each.

The Lady Spikers, who went 28 sets without a loss, were stunned in the second set when the Lady Tamaraws, armed with superb blocking and sharp coverage, engaged them toe-to-toe and took it, 25-23.

“They were more aggressive and their confidence was really high. They really had a morale boost, and their pep squad helped them,” said De Jesus.

FEU carried that over to the third set, where it took a 12-16 lead, before La Salle came to its senses, took the lead 17-16 and never looked back.

The Lady Tamaraws, after putting a tough stand, just lost steam and failed to get that solo fourth spot as they dropped to a 5-5 tie with Adamson.

Remy Palma had 12 points for the Lady Tamaraws, Geneveve Casugod added 10 and rookie Bernadette Pons had nine.

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