In their biggest match of the UAAP Season 81 Women’s Volleyball Tournament, the De La Salle University Lady Spikers played their best game yet.
Saturday’s La Salle-Ateneo tiff had more at stake for the three-time defending champs, as they were caught in a tight spot for the second seed and twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four.
The Lady Spikers then responded by taking away their rivals’ best skills.
The Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles were riding a 10-game winning streak. But this afternoon, they had no players in double-digits in the quick, straight-sets affair.
More surprisingly, the league’s best-blocking team recorded zero block kills.
“Hindi ko i-expect na ganitong kabilis matatapos ‘yung game,” admitted La Salle head coach Ramil De Jesus.
“Well, pabor naman sa amin, nakakatuwa rin. Naglaro nang maayos ‘yung mga bata today, kaya siguro gusto nila manalo.”
La Salle were steady in all their other usual strong skills, tallying eight aces and six blocks while punishing Ateneo’s serve receive throughout the match.
The win, ultimately, showed off La Salle’s signature pride and hunger in the most crucial situations.
“Kailangan namin itong panalo na ‘to eh, kasi para at least lumayo kami sa mga nakadikit sa amin. Marami kaming nag-aagawan sa second place so sabi ko sa mga bata, kailangan natin ‘to,” said the 11-time UAAP champion coach.
“Hindi na dapat matalo para mas makalayo tayo dun sa mga nakadikit na team like UST and FEU. Sabi ko pilitin natin makuha yung second spot.”
