The Lady Spikers are not ready to lose just yet.

Behind team captain Cha Cruz, De La Salle overcame a determined challenge by the UST Tigresses to escape with a come-from-behind 5-set victory today 20-25, 25-22, 16-25, 25-19, 17-15.

With the win, the Lady Spikers finish the first round of eliminations undefeated at 7-0. They also extend their mastery over the Tigresses since losing to them in the finals two years ago.

Cruz finished the game with 17 points, 16 attacks and 1 service ace while Abigail Marano added 18 points and 5 blocks. Both players were instrumental in the team’s comeback trail in the deciding set wherein they erased a 6-point deficit to clinch the win.

In a rematch of last year’s finals, both squads fought tooth and nail throughout the match. The Tigresses appeared to have things in control after taking a 2-1 set and with the momentum clearly in their favor. But the Lady Spikers simply refused to give up as they mounted a furious finish in the 4th set.

However, with fatigue setting in, they started flat in the final set as UST erected an early 7-1 lead. Luckily, the team showed tremendous resolve down the stretch to tie the count at 13-all.

With the score still tied at 15, UST committed a costly error paving the way for La Salle to seal the game.

The game would probably not have been this close if not for the 44 errors committed by the Lady Spikers.  This is one area that needs to be addressed come the second round.

The team showed a lot of heart today. They have been in this situation so many times. Even when they are pushed to the brink, they always seem to find a way to win.

Led by Abigail Maraño’s 15 points, the Lady Spikers easily defeated UE today in straight sets, 25-18, 25-14, 25-18. Maraño also finished the game with 11 spikes and 3 blocks.

With the win, La Salle will enter the holiday break undefeated for the third straight year. The team returns to action on January 8 against UST in a rematch of last year’s finals. The Lady Spikers are one win away from sweeping the first round.

In the men’s division, the Green Spikers will be going up against NU tomorrow and Ateneo on Dec 21 right before the break. They are currently at fourth place with a 2-2 record.

The Lady Spikers nail their 5th straight win in as many games as they trounced UP today in straight sets, 25-16, 25-17, 25-22.

It was not an easy victory for the team as the Lady Maroons put up a gallant effort especially in the third set. In fact, all of the sets started close but down the stretch, La Salle just has too much firepower for UP to handle.

Cha Cruz had another superb performance with 19 points, including 7 service aces.

La Salle is just two wins away from sweeping the first round. They will next face UE this Saturday before taking a break for the holidays. The Lady Maroons remain winless this season.

The bad news though is that the team may have to go on without prized-rookie Camille Cruz. It was reported that she is already out for the season after suffering a suspected ACL injury in their last game against FEU.

The Lady Spikers maintain their unblemished record as they turned back a feisty FEU squad in 5 grueling sets today 25-22, 25-15, 23-25, 23-25, 15-11.

Abigail Maraño had a monster game for La Salle, scoring 21 points and had 3 blocks. Michelle Gumabao added 18 points for the Lady Spikers, who improved their mark to 4-0.

All of their wins so far were against teams that are considered as final four contenders. They are expected to have an easier time in their next two games against UE and UP before the holiday break.

The still-undefeated De La Salle Lady Spikers easily disposed of the NU Lady Bulldogs 25-21, 25-13, 25-7 today for their third win.

After a shaky first set where they committed several unforced errors, the team came out strong the rest of the way and hardly gave NU a chance to make this game somewhat competitive.

The Lady Spikers are now the only team that is still without a loss. They will next face FEU on Saturday.