Fifi Sharma towered over Adamson University, and that was by design.
The 5-foot-11 middle blocker had a personal season-high of six blocks against the Lady Falcons and finished with 12 points to help De La Salle University win in four sets, 22-25, 25-14, 25-16, 25-19.
“Actually, the last few games my goal was to improve my blocking, so I think I just got lucky today that I was able to apply what we practiced these past few weeks,” said Fifi, the daughter of PBA player Carlo Sharma.
Prior to this game, Sharma only had six blocks in the Lady Spikers’ past five games before matching it against Adamson, improving her total to 12.
Her resurgence at the net would be a big boost for La Salle, which is already the best-blocking team in the league, but is about to get even tougher at the top.
According to interim head coach Noel Orcullo, the blocking department and the service category are areas they need to focus on for an easier life.
“Actually, yun nga yung lagi naming sinasabi sa kanila na kung makukuha natin unang una sa service o sa block, bakit kailangan pa natin pahirapan yung spikers natin?” shared Orcullo, whose wards dominated the block and service areas, 14-1 and 7-2, respectively.
Thea Gagate also tallied five blocks.
“Yun lang naman lagi eh kung ano yung strength natin kailangan kapitan natin kung saan tayo nagna-number one like kami number one sa blocking, so kailangan namin pangatawanan na number one tayo. Kailangan gawin natin yung trabaho natin dito sa taas,” the long-time assistant of Ramil de Jesus added.
Sharma also credited their week-long preparation against Adamson.
After their game against FEU last March 11, the Lady Spikers had an eight-day rest before returning to Taraflex this Sunday, March 19.
“I’m really proud of how we performed today because I know that we prepared for this during the whole break. Like everyone was giving their 100 percent during the training, and it was just a different feeling when I went inside the court,” said the 22-year-old Sharma.
“I was like, ‘I’m ready to fight today.'”
