De La Salle dumps NU to sweep first round of UAAP women’s volleyball

BY NIKOLE JAVIER

Mar 22, 2023 4:10 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• The Lady Spikers shrugged off the Lady Bulldogs’ resistance in the third set to complete the swift victory and improved to a perfect 7-0 card.

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De La Salle got back at its Season 84 tormentor National University with a 25-10, 25-15, 25-21 rout to sweep the first round of the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday, March 22, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The Lady Spikers shrugged off the Lady Bulldogs’ resistance in the third set to complete the swift victory and remained perfect with a 7-0 card.

Super rookie Angel Canino carried out a team-high 14 points, while Fifi Sharma and Jolina Dela Cruz contributed 12 and 11, respectively.

***De La Salle ends its head-to-head misery over reigning champion National University to stay perfect with a 7-0 record in the UAAP Season 85 women's vollryball. (UAAP Media)***

The Lady Spikers have not won against the Lady Bulldogs since March 2019 in Season 81.

Tied at 16-all in the third set after Evangeline Alinsug’s crosscourt attack, La Salle remained unfazed and went on a 3-0 run to extend the lead by three, 19-16.

From then on, the Lady Bulldogs wouldn't be able to cash in on their might as Thea Gagate sent the Lady Spikers to the match point, 24-20.

Bella Belen saved one match point with a through-the-block kill but Dela Cruz' crosscourt attack ultimately punctuated the match.

La Salle leaned on its defensive scheme with 12 blocks compared to NU’s four. The Season 84 finalists were also able to limit their unforced errors to only 11, less than nine to NU’s 20.

“Di ko inaasahan ‘yong na-straight sets namin sila. Sabi ko nga sa mga bata stick to the plan kung ano ‘yong plano natin na ginawa sa training. They played with pride di pwedeng magpapa-intimidate tayo. Nu’ng last year hindi tayo nakakuha ng set. Different team na tayo ngayon,” said interim head coach Noel Orcullo.

Belen paced the reigning champion with 12 points built on 11 attacks and a block as it snapped its three-game winning streak for a 5-2 record to end its own first round campaign.