La Salle Lady Spikers. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
De La Salle was the last team to beat Ateneo two years ago and on Saturday, the Lady Spikers were the first ones to do so since then.
La Salle foiled defending champion Ateneo’s bid to sweep the first round with a masterful 25-22, 25-14, 25-18 win in the two rivals’ first meeting in the UAAP Season 78 women’s volleyball tournament at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Lady Spikers also handed the Lady Eagles their first loss in 25 games while improving their own record to 5-1.
GALLERY: Ateneo Lady Eagles vs La Salle Lady Spikers Round 1
“We all know Ateneo’s confidence is really high and what I’ve been telling the players is that we can’t come into the game thinking that it will be hard for us to win,” said DLSU head coach Ramil de Jesus. “I didn’t expect this kind of game. We were expecting that we’re going to have to go through so much before winning.”
Kim Fajardo led La Salle’s statement win with 13 points built on seven service aces while Ara Galang and Mary Joy Baron added 10 each.
Mika Reyes had nine points while anchoring the Lady Spikers’ jarring defense against reigning MVP Alyssa Valdez.
READ: Valdez admits Ateneo lacked confidence vs La Salle
“We scouted her. We all know 50% of Ateneo’s attacks come from Alyssa and the more you stop Alyssa, it will be easier to control Ateneo and that’s what happened,” De Jesus said on his defensive game plan against the Lady Eagles.
La Salle shut down Valdez to her lowest output this season with 11 points.
Ateneo, which last lost in March 2014 during the UAAP Season 76 finals, concluded its opening round campaign with a 6-1 record.