Lady Spikers blast Maroons CLOSE IN ON SECOND SEMIS BERTH
Games Wednesday 8 a.m. – UE vs FEU (Men) 10 a.m. – ADMU vs AdU (Men) 2 p.m. – UP vs AdU (Women) 4 p.m. – ADMU vs NU (Women)
La Salle University shook off University of the Philippines’ gutsy stand in the first set then imposed its will in the next two to fashion out a vengeful 27-25, 2511, 25- 17 victory yesterday and move within a win of clinching the second semifinal berth in the UAAP women’s volleyball at the FilOil Flying V Center in San Juan.
After squandering a 10- 4 lead and fending off the Lady Maroons’ rally in the opening set, the Lady Spikers dominated the second frame then broke off from a tight duel in the early going of the third to complete the straightset win. They improved to 8-2 behind first semifinalist and arch rival Ateneo (9-1).
The jump- serving Majoy Baron delivered six aces and had three blocks to topscore with 16 points, while Desiree Cheng, Kim Dy and Ernestine Tiamzon chipped in 11 points apiece and Kim Fajardo tossed in 23 perfect sets for La Salle, which absorbed a shock three-set loss to UP last Feb. 15.
Isabel Molde churned out 12 points on 11 attacks and one block while collecting 15 digs and making eight excellent receptions.
Diana Carlos produced 10 hits and one block to finish with 11 points and Arielle Estranero dished out 23 excellent sets for UP, which slipped to 5-5 for a share of the fifth spot with Far Eastern University.
“In the first set, the players gave in to the pressure of UP as it delivered quicker attacks. We just told the players that we have to play our game,” said La Salle assistant coach Noel Orcullo.
Earlier, National University made up for a lackluster third set as it outlasted University of the East in the fourth, 25-15, 2521, 22-25, 25-21, to move to joint third with University of Santo Tomas at 6-4.
Jump- serving Majoy Baron fired six aces and had three blocks to finish with 16 points, while Kim Dy, Desiree Cheng and Tin Tiamzon each had 11 markers for La Salle.
The Lady Maroons fell at 5-5, now trailing the Tigresses and the Lady Bulldogs by a full game in the race for the last Final Four berth.
UP has lost five of its last six after a 4-0 start.
Jaja Santiago, forced to play extended court time in the fourth frame as NU coach Roger Gorayeb decided not to field in erratic liberos Gayle Valdez and Joni Chavez, hammered down three crucial kills, including two from the back, to help the Lady Bulldogs prevail in the one hour, 48-minute match.
“The only job of a libero is to receive and defend. I don’t know why they played erratically,” said Gorayeb.
Santiago finished with 23 points, including three blocks, while Jorelle Singh and Risa Sato added 17 and 10 hits, respectively, for NU.
UE recovered from a second set meltdown, blowing a 16- 8 advantage, by taking the third set. But the Lady Bulldogs imposed their will in the fourth with Santiago taking over.
Shaya Adorador had four service aces for a 16-point outing while Judith Abil contributed 10 markers for the Lady Warriors, who fell to 1-9.
In men’s play, Fauzi Ismail and James Natividad teamed up for 24 hits as NU sealed a Final Four slot with a 25-21, 25-23, 26-24 win over FEU.
The Bulldogs are now at 9-1, while handing the Tamaraws their third straight defeat and fifth overall in 10 matches.