LA SALLE SWEEPS ATENEO IN THE FINALS, CLAIMS BACK-TO-BACK CHAMPIONSHIP
By Ardyn Gonzales
6 May 2017
The De La Salle University Lady Spikers successfully defended their crown against the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles in a classic five-set match, 19-25, 25-14, 18-25, 25-18, 15-10, May 6, Saturday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Down 1-2 in the match, the defending champions needed to dig deep to avoid a Game 3.
In the fourth set, after tying the game at 11-all, La Salle pulled away to build a 19-15 lead banking on the attacks of Kim Dy and Tin Tiamzon. With the help of several free points from Ateneo off their unforced errors, concluded by a Majoy Baron block, the Lady Spikers forced a deciding set.
With the momentum on their side, La Salle came out strong in the fifth set with a quick five-point lead, 7-2. Ateneo responded and came within two, 10-8, but the attacks of the Lady Spikers were undefended by the Lady Eagles.
Season 79 MVP Baron brought La Salle at championship point, then a crucial attack error from Ateneo finished the match in favor of the Lady Spikers.
Kim Dy led all scorers with 19 points, with Tin Tiamzon and Majoy Baron adding 16 and 10 points respectively. Desiree Cheng had a triple-double on 12 points, 12 excellent digs, and 13 excellent receptions, making her win the Finals MVP award.
Michelle Morente was the top scorer for Ateneo with 16 points, while Jhoana Maraguinot and Bea de Leon had 14 each.
It is La Salle’s second straight win and their 10th title in the UAAP, a perfect send-off for graduating team captain Kim Fajardo who ended her career with 6 points and 43 excellent sets.
Finals Most Valuable Players: Desiree Cheng, 12 points, 12 excellent digs, and 13 excellent receptions
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