La Salle returns on top with easy UE victory

Games Today (Smart Araneta Coliseum) 8 a.m. – Ateneo vs UE (men’s) 10 a.m. – FEU vs Adamson (men’s) 2 p.m. – Adamson vs Ateneo (women’s) 4 p.m. – NU vs UP (women’s)

Defending champion La Salle regained its lofty placing in the leaderboard after crushing lowly University of the East (UE), 25-16, 25-15, 25-9, yesterday in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Lady Spikers hardly perspired in their 66-minute match against the Lady Warriors as they dictated the tempo all throughout for a share of the lead with long-time rival, the Ateneo Lady Eagles.

La Salle jumped to its ninth win against two losses, putting a distance with third-running National University (7-4).

The Taft-based spikers also kept their second-round elimination round record pristine with their third straight victory.

Nine players scored for La Salle with Desiree Cheng topscoring with 10 points – nine on attacks. The duo of Kim Fajardo and Joy Baron chipped in nine points apiece.

With their imposing assault, the Lady Spikers also showcased the Lady Warriors’ lackluster performance particularly in the third set where they zoomed to a 21-6 bubble.

UE’s spikers proved no match with La Salle’s all-around skills, with none from the Lady Warriors scoring more than six points.

Shaya Adorador, who consistently banners the UE, was limited to only six points, while Mary Anne Mendrez and Roselle Baliton had five and four points, respectively.

In men’s play, NU (10-1) squeaked past La Salle (4-7), 25-23, 19-25, 25-15, 20-25, 16-14, while UST (5-6) bested University of the Philippines (5-6), 2521, 25-21, 20-25, 18-25, 15-11.

Bryan Bagunas starred for the Bulldogs by exploding with 21 points on 18 kills and three aces, while Fauzi Ismail and James Natividad also provided support with 18 and 15 points, respectively.

NU survived its 51 errors by leaning on its 51 attacks against La Salle’s 36.

In the other match, the trio of Jerico Jose, Justin Francisco, and Arnold Bautista Jr. spearheaded UST with combined 50 points.

Desiree Cheng of defending champion La Salle makes her move against Shaya Adorador and the University of the East in their UAAP volleyball match yesterday in San Juan. (Jay Ganzon)