Fresh from their loss to rivals Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles last Sunday, the De La Salle University Lady Spikers took their frustrations out on the National University Lady Bulldogs, eliminating the Sampaloc squad from Final Four contention at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
The Lady Spikers played masterfully, exposing NU’s weak back row with their loaded serves. NU also did themselves no favors, as their outgoing seniors played nervously in what turned out to be their final match.
After La Salle convincingly took the opening set, NU graduating team captain Myla Pablo was subbed out after surrendering three straight attack errors and spotting La Salle a 9-4 advantage. Aiko Urdas, who came in for Pablo, was instrumental in NU’s comeback, providing the boost that led to a late deadlock. Jaja Santiago finished the set off with quick attacks.
But that was National U’s last gasp.
Rookie May Luna and opposite hitter Kim Dy towed La Salle down the stretch. Luna stepped in for the ailing Cyd Demecillo in the third set and lifted La Salle’s offense out of a rut. The Lady Spikers turned a 6-9 deficit into a 18-14 advantage and never looked back. NU kept pace up until midway through the fourth set. With Mika Reyes serving and Kim Dy guarding the net, La Salle went on a 9-0 explosion to go from 16-15 up to the set win.
“Ang sabi ko sa mga bata mahirap pumasok sa Final Four ng talo kaya ginawa talaga namin lahat para makapasok ng may momentum,” said DLSU head coach Ramil De Jesus.
Dy finished with a career-high 25 points off 15 attacks, five blocks, and five aces. Majoy Baron added 13, while Mika Reyes managed 10 markers.
Santiago was the only Lady Bulldog in double-digits with 14 markers. Myla Pablo, who played her final UAAP match, had just two points. Setters Ivy Perez and Asi Soliven also bid farewell to the UAAP.
With the second seed, La Salle will face the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws on Sunday, 4 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
NU (7-7) ends their season at fifth place, out of the Final Four for the first time since Season 74.
The Scores:
DLSU (3) – Dy 25, Baron 13, Reyes 10, Galang 9, Demecillo 6, Fajardo 6, Luna 5, Macandili (L), Saga (L).
NU (1) – Santiago 14, Singh 9, Urdas 9, Nabor 4, Perez 3, Pablo 2, Diolan 1, Doria 0, Valdez (L).
