UAAP: ‘Ready’ Erika Santos gives La Salle big lift off the bench
UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Seldom-used spiker Erika Santos was a revelation for La Salle in its lopsided win over Far Eastern University in the UAAP Season 84 women’s volleyball tournament on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.
When La Salle trailed 13-20 to FEU in the first set, Santos provided the spark for the Lady Spikers off the bench, nailing the timely hits as they completed the opening frame comeback en route to a 25-23, 25-13, 25-14 rout for an improved 6-3 record in the third place.
“I’m ready anytime they call (my number). I wanted to fulfill what the team needs,” said Santos, who made the most of her extended playing time with nine points.
La Salle assistant coach Benson Bocboc, speaking for Ramil De Jesus, was hardly surprised with the contribution of their substitute wing spiker, who checked in for starter Leila Cruz.
“Erika has a very positive energy when she is inside the court. We really rely on her attacks, which she really showed (in today’s game),” Bocboc said in Filipino. “As expected Erika delivered.”
Even though she spent most of the time on the bench in their previous games, Santos made sure to observe what the team needs and what she can contribute from her perspective.
“Siguro po ‘yung hugot, kasi coming from the bench po, nakita po namin ‘yung galaw ng team and nag oobserve po kami kung ano po ‘yung kulang,” she said. (Coming from the bench, we see the movements of our teammates and we observe what our team lacks.)
After Santos proved her worth, La Salle showed it has a lot of weapons even from its reserves. The No.3 team seeks to sustain its momentum against skidding University of the Philippines (4-5) on Tuesday.
