La Salle stops UP for share of lead

LA SALLE survived a sluggish start to snap University of the Philippines’ four-game winning streak with a 18-25, 25-12, 25-18, 25-21 victory in the UAAP Season 78 women’s volleyball tournament last night at Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

The Lady Spikers came out with all guns blazing in the second set and never looked back on their way to an eighth victory in 10 games for a share of top spot with fierce rival Ateneo.

Kim Dy and Mika Reyes delivered 14 points each, while former league MVP Ara Galang added 12 hits for the Lady Spikers who also drew a sterling game from Kim Fajardo with 32 excellent sets.

“They are a tough team to beat, especially when their players become mature and get used to playing under pressure,” said De Jesus of the Lady Maroons, who remained in third spot with a 6-4 card.

The win pushed the Lady Spikers closer to a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four.

In the other women’s division game, University of Santo Tomas leaned on the heroics of veterans Jessie de Leon and Carmela Tunay to outlast Adamson University, 25-21, 17-25, 20-25, 25-23, 15-12.

De Leon and Tunay snuffed out hopes of an Adamson comeback with a quick hit and a block to put the Tigresses at match point after the Lady Falcons closed in at 12-13.

EJ Laure and Cherry Rondina also sparkled with 21 hits each as UST forced a three-way tie for fourth spot with National U and Far Eastern U.

The Lady Maroons looked primed to stretch their impressive run that also saw them earn the scalp of defending champion Ateneo in the past three weeks.

But the Lady Spikers recovered their bearings after dropping the first set, relying on their superior blocking and court coverage to stifle the Lady Maroons’ attack.

The Maroons also hurt their cause with 35 errors, including four service errors in the fourth set that hastened defeat. Diana Carlos paced UP with 14 points and seven digs.

Men’s play saw La Salle slip past UST, 20-25, 25-12, 22-25, 25-22, 15-11, and Adamson prevailing over FEU, 14-25, 25-22, 25-21, 25-19.

La Salle got a huge performance from Raymark Woo who pumped in a season-high 33 points, including the match-winner that kept the Archers unbeaten in the second round.