By Ardyn Gonzales
De La Salle University Lady Spikers swept the defending champions National University Lady Bulldogs, 25-10, 25-15, 25-21, in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament, Wednesday, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
It was a statement victory by the Lady Spikers who were previously dominated by the Lady Bulldogs in Season 84 and the off-season tournaments.
After an 8-0 run to close out the first set, momentum stayed with La Salle following a 16-8 start in the second frame. Adjustments in the line-up of NU were not enough as a kill block on Cess Robles sealed the second win for the Lady Spikers.
The defending champs tried to catch up in the third set, tying the game at 16-all. But La Salle quickly responded with a 3-0 run from Mars Alba and Fifi Sharma which paved the way for a four-point crucial lead, 23-19.
Bella Belen attempted to inch closer through a strong attack from the right wing, but Jolina dela Cruz answered back with an emphatic crosscourt attack of her own to complete the sweep.
Rookie Angel Canino proved once again that she is worth the hype as she dropped 14 points on 11 attacks and eight excellent receptions, while Fifi Sharma added 12. Mars Alba was hailed as the player of the game as she orchestrated the La Salle offense with 20 excellent sets.
The 7-0 record in the first round is the best start of the Lady Spikers since Season 76 when they swept all their games in the elimination round.
Meanwhile, only Bella Belen finished in double-digits with 12 points as the rest of her team was held down to a single-digit output, including Alyssa Solomon who only had eight.
NU is now tied with UST and Adamson in the second to fourth spots, all with 5-2 win-loss standing.
Featured image courtesy of UAAP
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