Photo by Bong Lozada/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Just two more and they’re off.
Earning the second Final Four slot of the UAAP Season 77 Volleyball Tournament are the De La Salle University Lady Spikers after they dispatched the National University Lady Bulldogs 3-1, 25-22, 25-20, 21-25, 27-25, Saturday evening at the Arena in San Juan.
La Salle joined defending champions Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles as the two teams to earn Final Four slots as the Lady Spikers notched a 9-1 win-loss record.
Ateneo has a perfect 10-0 card.
Jaja Santiago, the new talisman of the Lady Bulldogs, could not save her squad from defeat as her attack went erratic, giving La Salle the victory.
La Salle looked at a probable fifth set when they fell 19-22 but consecutive errors from both teams ironically saved them and tied the set at 25-apiece.
Lady Spikers head coach Ramil de Jesus struggled with his team who, he said, could not focus on the game.
“Our attacks were so bad that I had to change players at the end,” De Jesus said. “I gave them instructions but I didn’t know why they were so absent-minded. I’ve noticed that even in the first set.”
Mika Reyes and Ara Galang combined for 29 points for La Salle.
Santiago led all scorers with 25 while fellow Lady Bulldog Myla Pablo had 13 for the 4-6 NU team.