3 March 2018
By Ardyn Gonzales
The defending champions De La Salle University Lady Spikers outlasted their archrivals Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles in UAAP Women’s Volleyball, 25-20, 25-17, 24-26, 25-20, Saturday, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, to end the first round of elimination on a high note.
In a rematch of last year’s finals, Ateneo had to deal with the absence of starting libero Dani Ravena and their head coach Tai Bundit.
Currently the best serving team in the league, La Salle relied on its loaded serves to target the vulnerability of Ateneo in reception. The Lady Spikers convincingly notched the first two sets, but not without the challenge by the Lady Eagles.
Ateneo fought back in the third set, establishing a 21-11 lead highlighted by the consecutive blocks of Bea De Leon on the Lady Spikers. But La Salle amazingly responded with an 11-0 run, paralyzing the offense of the Lady Eagles as Kim Dy single-handedly manned the net defense of La Salle.
They reached match point 24-23, but Jhoana Maraguinot unleashed a strong backrow attack to keep the Lady Eagles alive. Maddie Madayag then blocked Aduke Ogunsanya at the net followed by a strong attack from Kat Tolentino that denied the comeback of La Salle.
However, La Salle regained in control in the fourth frame. After a 10-10 deadlock, the Lady Spikers put up a block party and once again immobilizedthe offense of Ateneo to extend an 18-12 advantage. The Lady Spikers eventually won the much-awaited game via a service error by Jules Samonte.
After a poor performance against Adamson, Kim Kianna Dy tallied her season-high 21 points, off 11 attacks, team-high 7 blocks, and 3 service aces.
Meanwhile, Jhoana Maraguinot topscored for Ateneo with 13 markers.
Player of the Game: Kim Dy, 21 points (11 attacks, 7 blocks, 3 service aces)
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