La Salle looks to secure twice-to-beat incentive
WITH their semifinal spot in UAAP Season 79 women’s volleyball already secured, the defending champions De La Salle Lady Spikers look to fortify their position some more by clinching the twice- to- beat incentive in the next round with a win today over the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses.
Currently at second place at 9-2 behind the leagueleading Ateneo Lady Eagles (102), La Salle faces third-running UST (7-4) at 4 p.m. at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City with the end view of shutting the door on the Tigresses’ top two bid and earn for them, and in the process the Lady Eagles, the much-sought-after advantage in the Final Four.
The Lady Spikers enter the match riding a four- game winning streak, the last one coming on March 25 over the also-rans University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors in straight sets, 25-16, 25-15 and 25-9.
Desiree Cheng spearheaded an even- keel attack by La Salle with 10 points, nine coming off spikes.
Majoy Baron and setter Kim Fajardo each had nine points with the latter also having 31 excellent sets.
Kim Dy had eight and Tin Tiamzon finished with seven points for La Salle, which is angling to win back-to-back University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) titles and 10th overall.
“It’s all about hard work and perseverance for us. That’s our mind-set every time we enter the competition,” said La Salle coach Ramil De Jesus of the mind-set his wards have in training and in games.
TIGRESSES RISING
One of the surging teams in the UAAP, UST has won six of its last seven games, turning a slow 1-3 start to the season to a position of force in the lead-up to the playoffs.
A win today over La Salle narrows its deficit with the Lady Spikers while creating some distance from fourth- running teams University of the Philippines and National University, which are both sporting a 7- 5 record.
The Tigresses are coming off a four- sets win over the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws, 17- 25, 25-17, 26- 24 and 25- 21, in their previous game with EJ Laure showing the way with 20 points.
Despite the huge win, UST coach Kungfu Reyes still believed that his team can perform better and that he hopes they will have a solid outing against the Lady Spikers.
“We still have to fine-tune our game. We have to improve on the basics, receiving, passing and attacking,” the UST coach said.
Meanwhile, in the first game at 2 p.m., FEU (5-6) tries to keep its flickering semifinal hopes alive against UE (1-10) which is out to win its second victory of the season.