Three-time defending champions De La Salle University Lady Spikers overwhelmed the Adamson University Lady Falcons, 25-16, 25-23, 25-20, for their second win in the UAAP Season 81 Women’s Volleyball tournament at FilOil Flying V Centre.
La Salle expertly doused the Lady Falcons in the first set. Seeing their three-point cushion dwindle down to one, 16-15, the Lady Spikers buckled down and won a string of long rallies. Adamson gave up errors and allowed May Luna to power the Lady Spikers to a decisive 24-15 lead.
Adamson then had another late run in them in the second frame. After La Salle built an 18-11 wall, the Lady Falcons crawled back thanks to timely defensive plays, highlighted by a Joy Dacoron block that placed Adamson within three, 19-16. La Salle errors inched Adamson closer, 22-21. But Des Cheng and Aduke Ogunsanya had quick responses, giving the Lady Spikers a 24-21 lead. Following a timeout, Adamson rookie Trisha Genesis gave La Salle a 2-0 sets lead, attacking wide.
La Salle then rolled to a massive 18-9 third set lead as Adamson’s reception collapsed. The Lady Falcons gasped for another run, coming within four, 20-16. But La Salle finally shut the door on Adamson, using a floater from Luna to extend their lead, and never looked back.
Eleven-time UAAP champion head coach Ramil De Jesus admitted he expected Adamson to exert their vaunted presence on the floor.
“‘Di ko rin inaasahan na gagalaw nang maayos ‘yung mga bata kasi, knowing Adamson na very defensive, good passer. Maayos din ‘yung set play nila, mabilis,” said De Jesus. “Siguro, ganoon talaga mas nakakilos lang nang maayos ‘yung mga bata ngayon.”
Rookie Jolina Dela Cruz led a balanced La Salle effort with 10 points, while Des Cheng and Aduke Ogunsanya each provided nine markers.
Bernadette Flora and Joy Dacoron topped the Lady Falcons with nine points each. Adamson gave up 29 errors to La Salle’s 23.
Both teams play their next matches on Wednesday at the FilOil Flying V Centre. La Salle (2-0) take on the National University Lady Bulldogs (1-1). Meanwhile, Adamson (0-2) will try for their first win against the University of the East Lady Warriors (0-2).
The Scores
DLSU (3) – Dela Cruz 10, Cheng 9, Ogunsanya 9, Luna 8, Ipac 6, Cobb 3, Tiamzon 1, Alba 0, Clemente 0, Saga (L)
AdU (0) – Dacoron 9, Flora 9, Permentilla 6, Soyud 6, Genesis 1, Igao 1, Yandoc 1, Ave 0, Infante 0, Macaslang 0, Ponce (L)
