Lady Spikers back-to-back drive gets going

Some of the stars of last year’s title run may no longer be around, but La Salle skipper Kim Fajardo made sure the Lady Spikers picked up from where they left off from last season.

Back for one last run with the Lady Spikers, Fajardo whipped up 35 excellent sets, boosting defending champion La Salle past Far Eastern U, 29-27, 25-22, 25-23, in the UAAP Season 79 women’s volleyball tournament Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Showing their readiness to fill the void left by Mika Reyes and Ara Galang, Majoy Baron and last season’s Finals MVP, Kim Dy, combined for 36 hits for the Lady Spikers, who showed their poise late in the match to hold off FEU that fielded an almost intact team from last year.

Baron had three blocks and three service aces, including the winner that sealed an extended first set, while Dawn Macandili got 11 digs as La Salle saved two set points on its way to taking the opening frame.

La Salle, which prevailed in 96 minutes, lost six players from last year’s championship run, including Eli Suyod who transferred to Adamson and Fajardo’s chief backup Mika Esperanza and Cyd Demecillo.

“We just have to accept our roles in the team now and if that requires me to be more of a leader in this team then I have to do it,” said Fajardo, who showed little effects of plantar fasciitis.

Earlier, University of the Philippines, with libero-turned-setter Ayel Estranero pulling the strings on attack, hammered out a 25-18, 25-11, 25-18 victory over Adamson.

Estranero had 23 excellent sets on top of four points, while Kathy Bersola and Diana Carlos each fired 10 hits for UP.