De La Salle University stamped its class on National University, finding a way in the first two sets before running away in the third, 26-24, 26-24, 25-16, to stay unscathed in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament at the Philsports Arena in Pasig, Saturday.
Sheena Toring and Vange Alinsug forced a deuce in the first set, 24-all, but Fifi Sharma found the end line on her quick. Then Angel Canino capped it with a service ace for the De La Salle early lead, 26-24.
Canino came through again in the extended second frame with a through-the-block kill. The Lady Bulldogs later committed a costly error to give the Lady Spikers the 2-0 edge.
De La Salle then just romped NU in the third, cruising to an 18-9 advantage, and never looked back.
“Medyo may ginawa silang adjustment… Yun nga yung sabi namin na maging ready kayo sa gagawing adjustment ng NU, kasi hindi naman ganon kadali para ibigay ulit sa atin ng ganon kabilis yung laro,” said assistant coach Noel Orcullo.
Head coach Ramil de Jesus called the shots for De La Salle for the first time this season.
“Yung first two sets kahit papaano naitwaid namin, medyo bumitaw kami nung huli pero nandoon yung eagerness ng mga bata na manalo,” added De Jesus’ trusted deputy.
The Lady Spikers hiked their record to 8-0, including two straight sweeps of the Lady Bulldogs in four days.
Canino top-scored for De La Salle again with 15 points built on 13 attacks. Meanwhile, Jolina Dela Cruz delivered 12 points – with match-best three blocks – and nine excellent receptions.
The Lady Spikers also received a set’s worth of free points as the Lady Bulldogs committed 26 errors.
NU slipped to 5-3 tied with University of Santo Tomas for third.
Mhicaela Belen made 17 points, all on attacks. Alinsug tallied 14 points on 12 spikes and two blocks to go with seven excellent receptions.
De La Salle will go for 9-0 on Wednesday against Far Eastern University. Meanwhile, NU aims to get out of its two-game funk next Saturday against University of the Philippines.
