UP pulls off stunner, sweeps La Salle in UAAP Volleyball

UP Lady Maroons. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

University of the Philippines toppled defending champion De La Salle, 25-22, 25-21, 25-19, and maintained its place among the leaders of the UAAP Season 79 women’s volleyball tournament Wednesday at Filoil Flying V Arena.

Both teams were riding a two-game win streak but it was the Fighting Maroons who remain undefeated as they tied National University with a 3-0 record while the Lady Spikers stumbled to 2-1.

This was UP’s first win over La Salle, snapping a 16-game losing streak dating back to 2008 when the Lady Spikers forfeited all of their second victories in Season 70 due to Jacqueline Alarca’s ineligibility.

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Third set substitute Justine Tiu could not get her attack over the net and that ultimately sealed the match in favor of the Lady Maroons.

UP assistant coach Rald Ricafort said their win over La Salle was the product of an intensive preparation that even included a Powerpoint presentation featuring reports on how to stop each and every Lady Spiker.

“We had almost two days to prepare against La Salle and we discussed everything that would be discussed,” said Ricafort. “And it wasn’t just practice we had lecture sessions with the team where we presented scouting reports regarding players from La Salle.”

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Diana Carlos was clutch for UP when she gave the Lady Maroons a 22-18 lead in the third set and put them at match point, 24-19.

Senior Nicole Tiamzon proved once more she is UP’s soul as she scored a game-high 16 points, every single one coming off spikes, while Carlos added 11.

Kim Dy and Mary Joy Baron had nine points apiece to lead the Lady Spikers.

Video by Rina C. Tan/NowheretogobutUP VP for Community Relations