By: Nicole Gonzales
Fueled by the sting of their lone defeat, De La Salle Zobel turned frustration into fire, finally breaking their long drought against Far Eastern University-Diliman with a four-set victory, 25-23, 25-18, 24-26, 25-18, in the UAAP Season 88 high school girls’ volleyball tournament last Sunday at the Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym.
The win not only pushed DLSZ to a 3-1 record but also marked their first triumph over FEU-Diliman since Season 82, back when Gerz Petallo and Cassie Carballo were still in the high school ranks, under the leadership of decorated coach Tina Salak.
“I reminded them to start positive, start strong talaga, and finish stronger,” said DLSZ team captain Aislinn Alemaña.
Now in her fourth season, Alemaña was emotional after finally leading her team to victory against the Lady Baby Tamaraws.
She spearheaded the attack with 22 points built on 20 kills and 2 aces, while Zeianne Laborte added 17 points and Jelliane Laborte chipped in 14.
According to the captain, the team’s desire to win came from their earlier setback against NU.
“Recently we came from yung loss namin sa NU, like we didn’t play good talaga,” admitted Alemaña, who is graduating in 2027.
In that September 28 match, DLSZ suffered its first defeat of the season, falling in straight sets to defending champion NU, 25-15, 25-16, 25-17.
Alemaña was limited to just two points, while Jelliane Laborte top-scored for DLSZ with six. NU’s Diza Berayo led all scorers with 10 markers.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“So sabi ko sa kanila, kailangan naming bumawi, and kailangan namin lahat mag-step up. ‘Yun yung naging motivation namin para mas maglaro kami ng maayos, and mas mag-enjoy lang kami sa game namin with a positive mindset,” Alemaña said.
Despite DLSZ’s renewed drive, FEU still pushed hard, stealing the third set to extend the match.
“Sinabi sa amin ni coach (Jeremiah Monreal) na hindi pa po tapos yung laban. Walang nananalo ng two sets lang and hindi kami dapat mag celebrate kaagad,” Alemaña recalled.
“Sabi ko sa kanila [teammates], continue lang kami lumaban nang lumaban until dulo.”
The Junior Lady Spikers regrouped in the fourth frame, closing the door on FEU to complete the bounce-back win.
“Yung win na ‘to is a great win talaga for us. Madadala namin ‘to [momentum] into our next game, and I will keep reminding them to really start strong with a positive mindset, kasi as a leader, that’s really my goal,” Alemaña said.
Up next for the Junior Lady Spikers are last season’s silver medalists, the Adamson Baby Lady Falcons.
“Trabaho ko talaga inside the court na kailangan ko silang i-lead. So, itong game na ‘to will really be a good motivation for us na mag-continue lumaban nang lumaban,” Alemaña concluded.
