VOLLEYBALL DYNASTY
De La Salle University Lady Spikers score 3-PEAT
THE De La Salle Lady Spikers further underscored their “gold standard” status in University Athletic Association of the Philippines ( UAAP) women’s volleyball after completing another three-peat with a sweep of the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws in their best-of-three Season 80 finals yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Needing only one more win to wrap up things following their clinical three- set win in the series-opener, the Lady Spikers, armed with their ever- present steady composure and focus and go- getting mind- set, shut the door on the Lady Tamaraws with another convincing shutout victory in Game Two, 26-24, 25-20 and 26-24.
The win gave La Salle another three-peat in the UAAP in eight years, after doing a trifecta from Season 73 to 75.
It was also their seventh title to show for in 10 straight finals appearances and its 11th UAAP women’s crown overall.
FEU got off to a steady start, racing to a 16-12 lead by the second technical knockout of the opening set.
But La Salle would not go down without a fight, narrowing its defi- cit to one point twice, 20-19 and 22-21.
The Lady Tamaraws though stopped the bleeding, scoring back-to-back points to move to set point.
Just as everybody thought FEU had Set 1 in the bag, La Salle made its move back.
Led by graduating player Kim Kianna Dy, the Lady Spikers chipped away on the Lady Tamaraws’ lead, tying it at 24- all to force the set to an extension.
The free fall continued for FEU after, failing to score and seeing La Salle go for the closeout.
Riding on the momentum of their strong finishing kick in the first set, the Lady Spikers pounded on the Lady Tamaraws to start the second.
La Salle was first to the technical break, 8-5, and rolled to an even bigger lead by the second mandatory halt to action, 16-9, as it capitalized on every opportunity to notch a point given to them.
FEU went on a 10-6 blast thereafter to come within three points, 22-19, but could not go closer than that to go two sets down.
The Lady Tamaraws got off to a better footing to start the third frame, going up 8-6 with Heather Guino- o and Celine Domingo making their presence felt.
La Salle overpowered FEU anew as the set wore on, taking a 16-11 advantage by the second technical timeout.
Smelling blood, the Lady Spikers continued to put the pressure on FEU, notwithstanding the latter’s attempts to come back, even tying the count at 24-all.
Dy and Tine Tiamzon provided the winning points for La Salle in the extension to send its faithful to celebration.
Dy paced La Salle with 19 points with Majoy Baron and Tiamzon adding 10 each.
Graduating libero Dawn Macandili had 21 excellent digs and eight excellent receptions. She was later named finals most valuable player.
Bernadeth Pons, meanwhile, finished his collegiate career with 17 points.
“We just go for every opportunity given to us,” said champion coach Ramil De Jesus following their latest conquest.
“I’m just thankful to our players, especially the graduating players. I’m very proud of them and this is a perfect ending and send-off for them,” he added.
Meanwhile, earlier in the day, the National University Bulldogs reclaimed the UAAP men’s volleyball title after three years.
Last won the crown in Season 76, the Bulldogs made sure not to allow the Eagles run away with their fourth straight title by sweeping their best-of-three finals that culminated with a 2520, 31-29, 22-25 and 33-31 victory in Game 2.
It was a tightly fought contest right from the get- go with the second and fourth sets going into extension.
Ateneo had a chance to force a deciding fifth set after remarkably fighting its way back from a 23-17 deficit and force the set into overdrive.
The two teams went back and forth in the extension but NU was not to be denied of the win and the title as it beat Ateneo to the sprint to seal the match.
Bryan Bagunas led NU with 23 points en route to being named Finals MVP.
James Natividad backstopped him with 18.
King Eagle Marck Espejo finished his decorated UAAP career with 30 points.
Also prior to the start of Game Two, top individual awards were handed out led by women’s MVP and best spiker Jaja Santiago.
Other awardees are Sisi Rondina of the University of Santo Tomas ( best scorer), Domingo of the FEU ( best blocker), Desiree Cheng of La Salle ( best server), Kath Arado of the University of the East ( best digger and receiver), Deanna Wong of the Ateneo De Manila University ( best setter) and Milena Alessandrini of UST (rookie of the year).
On the men’s side, it is Ateneo’s Espejo who is the MVP while also taking the awards for best scorer, best server and best spiker.