La Salle makes quick work of UE to claim UAAP semis seat
MANILA – The De La Salle n University Lady Spikers did not have a hard time handling the University of the East Lady Warriors as it scored a 25-16, 25-15, 25-9 straight set win in the UAAP Season 79 women’s volleyball tournament on Saturday at the San Juan Arena.
Desiree Cheng l ed the way with 10 points, on nine attacks and a service ace, for the defending champion Lady Spikers, which tied arch rival Ateneo Lady Eagles on top of the standings with a 9-2 win- loss slate to assure a spot to the semifinals.
The Lady Eagles, meanwhile, are expected to grab the solo lead in the standings when it faces the cellar- dwelling Adamson University Lady Falcons ( 0- 11) at two in the afternoon today.
After a 1-0 start by the Lady Warriors, the Lady Spikers took control of the set behind Kim Dy and Kim Fajardo for an 8-2 lead. The Lady Warriors came to within four but the Lady Spikers handily closed the set behind Mary Joy Baron and Aduke Ogunsaya.
rt From a tight 8-6 score early in the second set, the Lady Spikers pulled away behind Dy, Fajardo and Norielle Ipac to open an 18- 7 lead. After three straight points by the Lady Warriors, the Lady Spikers turned to its reserves to close out the set.
The Lady Warriors kept it close early in the third set, but the Lady Spikers went on a huge run behind Ogunsaya, Cheng and Fajardo to pull away to 21-6. Reserves Gyra Barroga and May Luna then conspired to finish off the match in straight sets.
Meanwhile, the National University Bulldogs clinched a twice-to-beat incentive in the men’s division with a 25-23, 19- 25, 25-15, 20-25, 16-14 escape over the skidding DLSU Green Spikers.
The University of Santo Tomas Tiger Spikers also boosted its Final Four bid with a 25-21, 25-21, 20-25, 18-25, 15- 11 victory over the University of the Philippines Maroons. The Tiger Spikers and Maroons are tied with a 5- 6 win- loss record./ PN