La Salle swamps UP, takes off in four sets

MANILA, Philippines – Proving that they differ vastly in class, the De La Salle University Lady Spikers humbled the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons 3-1, 25-27, 25-20, 25-23, 25-10, in their UAAP Season 77 Volleyball Tournament match at the Arena in San Juan Sunday afternoon.

La Salle’s offensive punch found UP’s knock out button with three players scoring in double-digits, and it was the first time the whole season where the top gunner was not Ara Galang.

Christine Soyud, who was a mere substitute in the first two sets, paced La Salle with 16 points while Galang produced 14.

Another unheralded Spiker, Mary Joy Baron, rose up to the occasion to block Monica Ortiz to end the match and record her 13th point of the game.

Lady Spikers head coach Ramil de Jesus praised their opponents saying that UP’s time is upon the UAAP and that the Lady Maroons are not a group that should be taken lightly.

“Their defense was great, especially the floor defense,” de Jesus said whose team notched an 8-1 win-loss card. “They were getting into our attacks.”

La Salle used the momentum from the crucial third set into the fourth where they were off and running to a 9-2 start with Soyud scoring off an ace.

Their lead ballooned to 14 when Soyud’s attack bounced off Angeli Araneta to give the Lady Spikers a 23-9 edge.

De Jesus was pleased with his team’s athletic prowess but he said that they need to improve on their floor communication.

“They don’t talk too much to each other on the court,” de Jesus said. “There are times when the ball would just fall on our side of the court without anyone attempting to receive it.”

Araneta led the 4-5 UP with 15 points with team captain Nicole Tiamzon and Vina Alinas adding 14 and 13 points apiece.

UP played without Kathy Bersola injured Kathy Bersola who suffered an ACL tear.