MANILA, Philippines—Punctuating a dominant elimination run, La Salle turned back a tenacious Ateneo side, 18-25, 25-14, 21-23, 25-19, 15-7, to complete a 14-game sweep and clinch an outright title berth in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament Sunday night at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Abigail Maraño kept the Lady Archers in full control in the deciding set to finish with 20 points, including 19 off attacks.
Cha Cruz had 19 markers and Michelle Gumabao added 12 for the Lady Archers, who seized a commanding 11-5 advantage in the final frame.
Aside from skipping the semifinal round, the Lady Archers will also earn a thrice-to-beat advantage in the championship.
The Lady Eagles, who wrapped up their elimination run with a second-best 11-3 card, earned the twice-to-beat advantage in the stepladder semifinals.
University of Santo Tomas ranked third at 9-5, while Adamson and Far Eastern University still have to dispute the fourth spot tomorrow after finishing the eliminations tied at 8-6.
In men’s football, University of the Philippines blanked La Salle, 4-0, to stay on top with 16 points on a 4-4-0 win-draw-loss record.
National under-23 team standout Jinggoy Valmayor powered the defending champion Maroons with two goals and Michael Simms and Miguel Roy also had one each.
UP similarly continued to dominate the women’s side as the Lady Maroons downed the Lady Eagles, 1-0, to claim the solo lead with 11 points on a 3-2-2 card.
Defending champion FEU settled for a 1-1 draw with UST for a second-running 10 points on a 2-4-1 slate.