Trailing by big margins throughout the match, the De La Salle University Lady Spikers displayed their championship mettle and throttled the erstwhile league-leading National University Lady Bulldogs, 27-25, 27-25, 25-16, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
La Salle first had to rally back from a 14-21 deficit in the first set, using their solid serving to shock the Lady Bulldogs. The Lady Spikers then erased a 10-17 Lady Bulldogs lead to steal the second frame.
By the third set, the Lady Bulldogs had lost all their bite, and allowed the Lady Spikers to go on a 21-13 rampage to put the match out of reach.
“Noong game pa lang against Ateneo, pinakita na ng players na kaya nila kumapit. Kahit lumayo ‘yung kalaban, kapag gusto nila, lalaban at lalaban ‘yan,” declared La Salle head coach Ramil De Jesus.
Kianna Dy continued to lead the Lady Spikers, scoring 14 points off nine attacks, three aces, and two blocks. Open hitter Desiree Cheng managed 13 markers and nine excellent receptions.
Jaja Santiago topped the Lady Bulldogs with 13 markers, while fellow middle blocker Risa Sato managed 11.
The Lady Spikers (6-2) next take on the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons (3-5) on Wednesday at the FilOil Flying V Centre. The Lady Bulldogs (6-2) face the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles (5-3) on March 17, also at the Arena in San Juan.
The Scores
DLSU (3) – Dy 14, Cheng 13, Baron 11, Ogunsanya 9, Tiamzon 6, Cobb 2, Layug 2, Luna 1, Saga 0, Macandili (L)
NU (0) – Santiago 13, Sato 11, Doria 5, Nabor 5, Urdas 4, Paran 2, Doromal 1, Singh 1, Valdez (L)
