Jolina Dela Cruz was happy to let her De La Salle University teammates get the scoring mantle in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 85 finals while she focuses on other things.
The 23-year-old outside spiker was held to just six points but the Lady Spikers still escaped defending champion National University in five sets, 8-25, 25-22, 22-25, 25-21, 15-13, Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
However, Dela Cruz did it all with three attacks, two blocks, and a service ace while also doing wonders on the defensive end with eight digs and 13 excellent receptions.
“Ako naman po hindi ako ganon nagfofocus sa, like hindi ko kailangan makipaglaban in terms of scoring kasi alam ko yung strength ko eh and alam ng mga coaches na kaya kong gawin yun,” said Dela Cruz.
“Kung saan ako makakatulong doon ako.”
More than the numbers in the stat sheet though, Dela Cruz’s presence was felt with her leadership on the court, leading La Salle’s fightback after NU threatened to take the win with a 2-1 set advantage.
She told her teammates to cling to their two dominant victories against the Lady Bulldogs in the elimination round as a source of motivation when NU was leading.
The Lady Spikers made quick work of the Lady Bulldogs in the first round, 25-10, 25-15, 25-21, before repeating three days after with a 26-24, 26-24, 25-16 victory in the second round.
“Siguro nung nakuha ng NU yung set one hindi kami nawalan ng pag-asa kasi alam namin na kaya namin eh and yun lang siguro yung hugot namin na first round and second round naipanalo namin yung game against them,” said Dela Cruz.
“Basta may hugot lang kami na hindi kami magpapatalo kahit down na kami ng isang set, dalawang set. Super grateful ako sa teammates ko na hindi mo sila makikitaan na nawawalan ng kumpyansa. Laban pa rin hanggang dulo.”
Angel Canino and Thea Gagate top-scored for La Salle with 21 and 17 points, respectively.
A win away from clinching the Lady Spikers’ 12th title, Dela Cruz reminds the team to not be complacent and finish the job in Game 2 next Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
“Siguro nilalagay na lang din sa isip namin na hindi pa tapos, Game 1 pa lang yung nakukuha namin and hindi namin siya ilalagay talaga sa ulo namin. Pagtatrabahuhan namin hanggang makuha namin yung Game Two.”
