La Salle, Ateneo volleybelles remain perfect

ARA GALANG celebrated her birthday with a starring role  as La Salle routed winless University of the East, 25-6, 25-16, 25-11, yesterday to inch closer to a first-round sweep of the UAAP women’s volleyball eliminations at Filoil Flying V Arena.

Galang, the league-leading scorer who turned 20 yesterday, fired five service aces and Mika Reyes also had seven spikes as the duo combined for 20 points to power the Lady Spikers to a sixth straight triumph.

“The season isn’t over, so we have to keep pushing hard,” Galang said of the Lady Spikers, who will go for a sweep versus rival Ateneo next Sunday in a rematch of last year’s blockbuster title showdown.

While the Lady Spikers had an easy time, defending champion Ateneo had to shake off the holiday rust to turn back University of the Philippines, 25-18, 22-25, 25-20, 15-25, 15-11, and stay unbeaten in five games.

Alyssa Valdez, last year’s MVP, carried the fight for the Lady Eagles by posting 20 kills, three blocks and a couple of service aces in a 25-point performance.

“Maybe we were out of focus because we came from a holiday break,” said Valdez, whose hit following a Jia Morada service ace wrapped up the gruelling five-setter.

Rookie Bea de Leon fired 12 points, nine off spikes, and Amy Ahomiro delivered four blocks in an 11-point outing for the Lady Eagles, who dropped a set for the first time this season.

In men’s action, defending champion National University also moved within a win of a first-round sweep as Fauzi Ismail drilled 19 points to lead the Bulldogs to a 25-20, 25-13, 26-24 whipping of UP.

Ateneo improved to 4-2 following a 25-14, 25-22, 22-25, 25-19 decision over UE where reigning MVP Marck Espejo  tallied 21 points.