After suffering their first loss in the UAAP Season 81 Women’s Volleyball Tournament, the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons passed on the favor to defending champions De La Salle University Lady Spikers, 21-25, 25-20, 25-21, 20-25, 15-12 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Dragged to a fifth set, UP struck early, as back-to-back quick plays for Aie Gannaban pushed them to a 4-1 edge. La Salle immediately went on a 3-0 push and forced the match into a grinding pace. Consecutive kills from Isa Molde, followed by a Jessma Ramos ace pulled the Lady Maroons on top, 11-8.
La Salle mustered another rally as May Luna pounded a hit off the block to knot the set at 12. Tots Carlos then pushed UP into the lead with a clutch smash, while Luna followed with an attack error. Justine Dorog put the finishing touches on La Salle with an off-speed kill.
“Now, the win today was good. But we won struggling as usual and I hope as we go back today, we will reflect and not sit back thinking that things are over,” said Okumu.
“It’s not over until we finish with the championship. As you can see, some teams win, some teams lose, it’s part of the game so it’s a good win but there’s more to work on my team,” the second-year UP head coach added.
Isa Molde topped the Lady Maroons with 20 points off 17 attacks, one block and two aces while Tots Carlos finished added 19 points, 17 digs, and 18 excellent receptions.
Rookie Jolina Dela Cruz managed 19 points while Aduke Ogunsanya managed 13 markers. May Luna played through a swollen face and finished with 12 points.
Both teams play their next matches at the FilOil Flying V Centre. La Salle (3-1) takes on University of Santo Tomas on Wednesday while UP (3-1) faces Ateneo (2-1) on Sunday.
The Scores
UP (3) – Molde 20, Carlos 19, Layug 11, Dorog 8, Gannaban 6, Estrañero 4, Ramos 1, Buitre 0, Altomea (L)
DLSU (2) – Dela Cruz 19, Ogunsanya 13, Cheng 12, Luna 12, Cobb 5, Tiamzon 4, Alba 3, Clemente 3, Ipac 3, Instrella 0, Saga (L)
