After suffering a monumental setback last Saturday, defending champions De La Salle University Lady Spikers recovered with an up-and-down win over the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, 25-5, 25-23, 25-23. to start their UAAP Season 79 second round campaign at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Lady Spikers had relaxed in the endgame in their loss to the Ateneo de Manila University, and they came out of the gates against FEU with a vengeance, allowing FEU just five points in the opening set. But the Lady Tamaraws came to their senses in the second frame, limiting their miscues and keeping the match close from there.
Unlike Saturday, the Lad Spikers held on their slim advantages. In the third set, while leading 24-20, the Lady Spikers surrendered the next three points but managed to end the match off a transition hit from Tine Tiamzon.
“Siguro nature din ‘yung FEU na medyo malamig sila sa umpisa na sa second set nag-adjust sila,” said La Salle head coach Ramil De Jesus.
“Actually ‘yung performance namin against Ateneo makikita naman natin na ganoon talaga; petiks sa end game tapos so akala ko nga mauulit this game. Kapag medyo nandoon ka na sa end game parang, although lamayo ang score medyo relaxed, akala siguro nila natatapos sa 23 or 24 ang game so sana nature,” De Jesus added.
La Salle’s open hitters recovered from an off-game, as Desiree Cheng and Tine Tiamzon each tallied 11 points, while Aduke Ogunsanya added 10. The Lady Spikers burned FEU for 10 service aces.
La Salle keep hold of second place with a 6-2 record. They take on the National University Lady Bulldogs (5-3) on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Remy Palma led the Lady Tams with nine points, while Bernadeth Pons managed just a season-low eight markers.
The Lady Tams fall to 4-4 and face the Adamson University Lady Falcons (0-8), also on Sunday.
The Scores
DLSU (3) – Cheng 11, Tiamzon 11, Ogunsanya 10, Dy 9, Baron 5, Fajardo 1, Cobb 0, Layug 0, Macandili (L)
FEU (0) – Palma 9, Pons 8, Basas 7, Guino-O 4, Villareal 4, Cayuna 1, Agudo 0, Atienza 0, Malabanan 0, Negrito 0, Duremdes (L)
