De La Salle University moved to 5-0 after a quick sweep of Far Eastern University, 25-16, 25-18, 25-21, Saturday in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
Mars Alba distributed the ball well with her 19 excellent sets, leading to four Lady Spikers in double digits. Thea Gagate was at the fore with 13 points on nine attacks, two blocks, and two aces.
Angel Canino showed out against her former high school coach and now FEU mentor Tina Salak. She had 13 points built on 11 attacks alongside eight excellent receptions and seven digs.
Leila Cruz and Jolina Dela Cruz also came through with 10 points apiece, while pushing the Lady Tamaraws down to 2-3 at fifth.
“Hindi ko inaasahan na magiging ganon kabilis. Pero marami pa rin kami kailangang itama sa team kasi nga, medyo nagkakaroon pa ng lapses. Lalo na kapag malayo na kami, biglang nagre-relax,” said interim head coach Noel Orcullo, noting FEU’s high-morale after a five-set win over Ateneo de Manila University last Wednesday.
Sophomore Alleiah Malaluan also made her season debut for De La Salle after being sidelined in their first four games due to a minor knee injury. She entered in the second set with the Lady Spikers ahead, 12-7, and played the rest of the frame.
Malaluan had one point – an off-the-block kill that ended the set.
FEU was just within a point in the third, 21-22, when it shot itself on the foot by committing two errors paired with a Gagate ace to seal the game for the Lady Spikers.
Chenie Tagaod had 10 points in the losing cause while Alyzza Devosora chipped in nine points of her own.
De La Salle will have an eight-day rest before a tough two-match stretch against Adamson University on March 19 and defending champion National University on March 22. FEU, on the other hand, will return on Wednesday against University of the East.
“Going to our last two games kailangang mas maging pulido pa yung galaw namin kasi dadaan kami ng Adamson tapos NU,” shared Orcullo.
