The De La Salle University-Dasmariñas Lady Patriots made the most of their first match at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, capping their Philippine Superliga Collegiate Grand Slam campaign by ousting the Colegio San Agustin-Biñan Lady Eagles, 25-23, 25-18, 21-25, 25-16.
After losing to all the UAAP teams in the tournament, the Lady Pirates got a reprieve from their fellow southern school.
Veteran Eunice Castillo topped the Lady Patriots with 16 points, while Rain Ramos and Basilyn Delfin each provided 14 markers.
Head coach Joven Racelis admitted he was surprised with the Lady Patriot’s previous lackluster performances, but was glad his squad showed up in their first match in one of the biggest venues in the country.
“Hindi siya nailabas ng bawat player ‘yung laro nila kasi siyempre na-conscious, parang na-starstruck sila sa laro. So ayun, hindi kami naka-set sa mga malalakas na team sa UAAP,” recalled Racelis, whose team managed one set over Far Eastern University in their debut.
“Sana mailabas na nila sa CSA, kasi kumbaga sa level sa south, ka-level lang namin sila sa mga liga. So, ayun, ngayon ko nakita yung inensayo namin. Two months, so meron silang confidence na kumbaga, ito na ang gagawin namin,” he added.
“Sabi ko sa kanila, pinangarap ko ito (makapaglaro sa MoA Arena), kayo pa ang nakatupad. Pero masaya naman. Kumbaga may kaunting kaba nga. Ayun, first set nga alanganin pa kami, buti nanalo pa kami ng first set,” he said.
La Salle-Dasma will go on to compete in the National Capital Region Athletics Association in February.
Aliah Marce topped the Lady Eagles with 14 points, while Lency Duarte added 13.
The Lady Eagles finished their season with a solitary win in five matches; their victory came against FEU.
The Scores
DLSU-D (3) – Castillo 16, Delfin 14, Ramos 14, Del Rosario 4, Carranza 2, Pasco 2, Wong 2, Tono 1, Parohinog (L), Pena (L)
CSA (1) – Marce 14, Duarte 13, Flores 9, Rivera 6, Torres 5, Puzon 2, Bernardo 0, Duran 0, Lacambra 0, Parel 0, De Leon (L)
