Lady Archers clip UE ace player
Defending titlist La Salle hardly broke a sweat against the skidding University of the East, 25-21, 25-18, 25-10, for its fourth win in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Lady Spikers flaunted their defensive fangs by containing super rookie Casiey Monique Dongallo (averaging almost 27 points in her first four games) in the dominant win completed in only 80 minutes of play.
With the win, the Lady Spikers firmed up hold of second place at 4-1.
Reigning MVP Angel Canino stood at the forefront of La Salle’s defensive clinic and finished with an all-round play laced with 17 points, nine digs and seven receptions.
Thea Gagate tallied five blocks for nine points, her twin tower partner Shevana Laput had the same output while Alleiah Malaluan and Amie Provido chipped in seven points apiece.
“Talagang siya ‘yung binantayan namin dahil ‘nung past few games niya, parang 70 percent ng bola ng UE nasa kanya so talagang siya ‘yung babantayan mo,” said La Salle deputy coach Noel Orcullo.
In a bid to catch La Salle off guard, UE – with deputy Obet Vital calling the shots in place of suspended head coach Jerry Yee – actually tweaked a tactic that placed Dongallo in the middle in the first two sets.
The move certainly gave La Salle some problems at first but the Lady Spikers were quick to solve the riddle as even Dongallo’s return to her perennial position as outside hitter in the third set hardly made a difference.
It’s the second straight win for La Salle following a triumph against rival Ateneo after tasting its lone defeat so far against undefeated leader Santo Tomas (4-0).