La Salle needed only one hour to remain unscathed in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament.
The Lady Spikers booked their third consecutive straight sets win with a 25-11, 25-14, 25-9 drubbing of National University Saturday at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan. Just like in the victories against Adamson and University of the Philippines, La Salle simply used its vaunted blocking to remain on top of the standings.
“Nasa kondisyon ang mga bata. Hindi pa talaga nate-test ang mga bata, yung mga laro ba na close or come-from-behind ang result,” said Lady Spikers mentor Ramil de Jesus.
A date with Ateneo, the Season 72 third placer, on Dec. 12 is expected to be La Salle’s first ‘acid test’ in the tournament. “Isa talaga sila (Lady Eagles) sa inaabangan namin. Kumpletong team ang Ateneo, karamihan sa kanila ay third year players at maganda rin sila dumepensa,” said De Jesus, who won five titles for the Lady Spikers.
Jacq Alarca and Stephanie Mercado, two key players who are playing their final year for La Salle, combined for 24 hits, while Abigail Maraño added 10 points. The Lady Spikers collected nine blocks, with three coming from Maraño and two from Mercado, the daughter of former Asian sprint queen Lydia de Vega.
Cai Nepomuceno had six hits while Mervic Mangui, Elaine Sagun and Rialen Sagun added four markers apiece for the Lady Bulldogs.
NU suffered its second setback in three games.
In men’s play, Chris Macasaet unloaded 25 hits, including four blocks, as La Salle nipped University of the Philippines, 25-16, 25-18, 19-25, 17-25, 15-12. (TJ)
UAAP NOTES: The La Salle-NU duel is the shortest match in the week-old season. Due to the PCCL finals, the Sunday games will not be aired on live TV.