On Valentine’s Day, the De La Salle University Lady Spikers gave the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws hope, only to break their hearts in the end. The defending champions remain unblemished in three games, sealing a five-set win, 25-22, 25-17, 24-26, 23-25, 15-7, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Both squads had their share of struggles, with FEU opening the match with their usual communication and setting issues. La Salle, on the other hand, let go of a late third set lead, which leaked into a slow fourth-set performance.
The decider came down to errors. La Salle broke away from a 6-all tie, fielding three FEU errors that powered a 5-0 La Salle run. FEU continued to fumble miscues down the stretch, winning just one more point in the game’s final plays.
“Lagi kong sinasabi sa mga bata na hindi tayo pwedeng mag-relax porque naka-two sets na tayo. Kaya naming ma-score yung unang 24 points, ‘yung last point pa rin ang pinakamahirap kunin,” said La Salle head coach Ramil De Jesus.
Graduating seniors Majoy Baron and Kianna Dy topped the Lady Spikers with 18 and 16 points, respectively. Libero Dawn Macandili tallied 34 digs and 13 excellent receptions.
Bernadeth Pons topped the Lady Tamaraws with 21 points and 22 digs.
The Lady Spikers next face the National University Lady Bulldogs on Sunday at the FilOil Flying V Centre, in a battle of the two remaining undefeated teams. The Lady Tamaraws (1-2) will try to end their skid on Saturday at the FilOil Flying V Centre against the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons (1-2).
The Scores
DLSU (3) – Dy 18, Baron 16, Ogunsanya 11, Cheng 10, Tiamzon 6, Layug 2, Luna 2, Cobb 1, Saga 0, Macandili (L)
FEU (2) – Pons 21, Domingo 12, Basas 11, Villareal 10, Guino-O 6, Cayuna 4, Malabanan 2, Negrito 2, Hernandez 1, Atienza (L), Duremdes (L)
