Fifi Sharma. UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Fifi Sharma wanted to make her presence felt in manning La Salle’s frontline against Adamson in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament on Sunday at Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Sharma imposed her will, nailing a season-high six blocks to finish with 12 points and help La Salle stay unbeaten in six games with a 22-25, 25-14, 25-16, 25-19 victory over Adamson.
“My goal was to improve on my blocking. I think I just got lucky today that I was able to apply what we did in practice these past few games,” said Sharma after conspiring with fellow middle blocker Thea Gagate to combine for 11 blocks.
Sharma, the daughter of former PBA player Carlo, said the Lady Spikers made the most of their one-week preparation against the surging Lady Falcons, who won three in a row before their game.
“Overall, I’m really proud of how we performed today because we know that we have prepared for this during the whole break,” she said. “Everyone was giving their 100% during the training. It was just a different feeling when I went inside the court. I was like, I’m ready to fight today.”
Adamson beat La Salle in the second round last year and in the preliminary of Shakey’s Super League. Sharma said they just stuck to their goal of winning every game.
“Actually, our goal every game is to win. We also want to get back at them from our games before. But our primary objective is to win and I think we achieved that today,” she said.
Sharma anchored the Lady Spikers’ 14 blocks while holding the No. 2 blocking team Lady Falcons to just one.
La Salle coach Noel Orcullo said his wards need to keep on making the most of their strengths.
“We have to stick to our strengths. We’re number one in blocking so we have to embrace it. We have to do our job in front,” Orcullo said in Filipino.
La Salle will be tested against defending champion National University, seeking to complete a first-round sweep on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.