Lady Spikers yield to UST anew, bid farewell to four-peat dreams

Photo by: Jempoy Pimentel

The De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers bowed out of the UAAP Season 81 Women’s Volleyball Tournament after losing anew to the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses in five sets, 19-25, 19-25, 25-20, 25-23, 10-15, earlier today at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

After falling early into a deep two-set deficit against the Tigresses, the Lady Spikers showed a massive 14,000 crowd the heart of a champion, climbing back up and forcing a deciding set. However, it was just not for them as they eventually surrendered the game, the campaign, and the ever-elusive four-peat chase.

With this defeat, the Taft-based squad also snapped their decade-long Finals appearances.

In what was seeming like a straight-set victory for the Golden Tigresses, head coach Ramil de Jesus shuffled his cards and found an ace in Julia Ipac. The fourth-year spiker immediately converted consecutive kill blocks that ignited a 7-0 run for La Salle, which handed them an 18-15 lead. There was no looking back for the Lady Spikers as the entire team caught fire, keeping them alive in the contention, 25-20.

The Taft-based squad jumped to a 4-1 advantage, before UST head coach Kung Fu Reyes called for time and the España-based squad closed the gap to one, 3-4. Since then, it was nip-and-tuck affair as no team wanted to concede a three-point advantage, until Ysa Jimenez hammered a free ball, and brought them in front by four, 16-12. La Salle attempted to fight back, but a lucky return by KC Galdones gave UST the first set.

It was a similar encounter in the second frame: La Salle leads at the beginning, then UST overtakes. Five service errors committed proved too costly for the Green-and-White as every time they tried to build momentum, the serve fault breaks it.

This time around, it was the Gold-and-White who had the advantage at the head of the fourth canto, 5-1, following a series of errors by DLSU. But, the latter immediately made up and tied the set at five apiece. It was a nail-biter since then, as both teams refused to wave the white flag, countering every run the opposing team produces. La Salle maintained a three-point cushion towards the end of the set, avoiding a collapse and forcing a decider, 25-23.

Every time the Lady Spikers attempted to fight back, UST seemed like they always have the antidote. The Golden Tigresses glided to a 3-0 lead and maintained at least a three-point margin since then. De Jesus brought back in veterans Tin Tiamzon and Michelle Cobb in hopes of changing the complexion of the game, but to no avail. La Salle got to as close as a point, 10-11, following a bullet by Aduke Ogunsanya off a free ball. However, that proved to be their last point for the season as UST ran away to take the set and the match, and book their first Finals appearance since Season 73.

Rookie Jolina Dela Cruz spearheaded La Salle’s offense with 12 points, followed by team captain Desiree Cheng and Ogunsanya with 10 each. Lourdes Clemente and Ipac each chipped in seven markers, while May Luna contributed six markers.

On the other hand, Eya Laure exploded for 25 points, while team captain Sisi Rondina had 17 of her own. Galdones added 11, while Caitlyn Viray scored 10 for her team.

Team captain Desiree Cheng leaves the Lady Spikers as part of the UAAP Seasons 79 and 80 champion teams. She was the Finals MVP in Season 79 and the league’s Best Server in Season 80. On the other hand, Lourdes Clemente maxes out her UAAP eligibility after having played her first four collegiate years for the UPHSD in the NCAA.

Scores:

DLSU (2) 98 – Dela Cruz 12, Cheng 10, Ogunsanya 10, Clemente 7, Ipac 7, Luna 6, Tiamzon 4, Alba 1

UST (3) 108 – Laure 25, Rondina 17, Galdones 11, Viray 10, Jimenez 6, Bicar 5, Pacres 1

Lady Spikers succumb to UST, concede twice-to-beat advantage

Photo by: Flavius Dulce

The De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers absorbed a 1-3 defeat to the University of Sto Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses, 14-25, 23-25, 25-23, 19-25 in a play-off for number two earlier today at the Filoil Flying V Centre.

UST immediately jumped off to a 4-1 advantage following two consecutive errors by La Salle. Cherry Rondina then pushed their lead to five, 8-3 with a crosscourt hit that sent them ahead coming into the first technical timeout. Jolina Dela Cruz inched her team closer with a down the line kill, 10-13, but the Tigresses proved too strong for the defending champions. While the Taft-based squad attempted to rally themselves back, the Espana-based team wasted no time and blasted an imposing 9-3 run to finish the set in 25 minutes of play.

Contrary to the lopsided opening set, it was a different story in the second frame. Both squads were neck and neck until a service error by May Luna broke the deadlock and gave the opponent a two-point advantage, 9-7. In just a moment, the Green and White found itself staring at an eight-point deficit, 7-15 after 6-0 run by UST. To counter this, La Salle hopped on to their own 8-2 run, bringing themselves back in contention, 15-17. Eya Laure’s back-to-back down the line hits brought the Golden Tigresses to set point, 24-18. The Lady Spikers showed composure and cut the disadvantage to one, 23-24, before yielding the set.

This time around, La Salle got the upperhand in the beginning of the set, 6-1 following a Dela Cruz kill block, which immediately vanished as Rondina challenged the blockers to tie the score at seven apiece. DLSU trailed UST since then, but a service ace by Aduke Ogunsanya and another kill block by Dela Cruz switched up the tempo for the Green side. The Lady Spikers refused to wave the white flag and extended the game into a fourth canto.

The teams were nip-and-tuck, until a crosscourt spike by team captain Rondina gave her squad a four-point lead, 9-5, but a 5-0 run by the Lady Spikers capped by Luna’s down the line hit changed the tides for her squad, 10-9. Coach Kungfu Reyes’ timeout deemed effective as it transferred the advantage to them, 16-13 heading into the second technical timeout. From then on, UST’s spectacular floor defense partnered with DLSU’s errors proved too costly as it handed the opposing squad the victory.

Dela Cruz led the way for La Salle with 12 points, while Desiree Cheng and Luna chipped in nine apiece.

On the flipped side, Rondina scored a whopping 29 markers, and Laure added 17 of her own.

Both teams will face off against each other in the Final Four on Sunday, May 5 at the same venue.

Lady Spikers fall to gutsy Lady Tamaraws in five sets

Photo By: Jempoy Pimentel

The De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers were stunned by a determined Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws in five sets, 22-25, 25-13, 25-15, 25-27, 8-15, earlier today at the Filoil Flying V Centre.

As the elimination round came to a close, a marquee matchup between two squads took place. Although a non-bearing match for the fourth-seeded Lady Tamaraws, the squad looked determined to end the elims on a high note. On the flip side, the Lady Spikers wanted to secure the second seed and the twice-to-beat advantage that came with it. The clash resulted in a thrilling five setter that showed heart and guts from both squads.

FEU opened up the match guns blazing. The red hot Lady Tamaraws torched La Salle to grab an early 5-0 lead. The Lady Spikers kept their composure and kept the game close. La Salle eventually climbed back to take the lead, 16-10, as the set headed into the second technical timeout. FEU responded off the timeout and regained the lead, 19-18. This time the Lady Tamaraws took care of business and closed the set, 25-22.

With their back against the wall, La Salle showed greater urgency in the second set. The defending champs showed their dominance over their previous finals opponent.
The Lady Spikers got going early and never looked back swiftly ending the set, 25-13.

DLSU carried their momentum over to the third frame but the Lady Tamaraws got going as well. Both squads went blow-for-blow throughout the set. The set was in a deadlock at 14 apiece when La Salle unleashed a ferocious 11-1 run, capped by a hammer from Aduke Ogunsanya which ended the set, 25-15.

The display of dominance did not get the best of the Lady Tamaraws as they continued to fight back. The fourth set was day-and-night compared to the earlier sets. FEU showed signs of life and matched La Salle’s efforts. The set was littered with deadlocks and lead changes that lead to a breathtaking finish. After a hit from May Luna put La Salle at match, Heather Guino-o responded back. An error by La Salle put FEU at set point, but rookie Jolina dela Cruz tied it all up at 25 apiece. The effort was wasted however when La Salle crumbled under the pressure and dropped two straight points off of errors to send it into a fifth set.

The deciding set was not any different from the last sequence of the fourth set. After tying the set at 2 apiece, the Lady Spikers fell apart and surrendered the set, 8-15.

Dela Cruz led the team in scoring with 22 while Luna and Tiamzon got 15 and 17, respectively. For the Lady Tamaraws, Jerrili Malabanan got 15 points while Guino-o scored a game-high 24 points en route to Player of the Game honors.

Support the DLSU Lady Spikers as they try to clinch the twice-to-beat advantage against the UST Golden Tigresses on May 1, Wednesday, 3:30 PM at the Filoil Flying V Centre.

Lady Spikers retain winning form in rout of Lady Warriors

Photo By: Justin Aliman

The De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers won a crucial match against the University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors in straight sets, 25-17, 25-16, 25-19, earlier today at the Filoil Flying V Centre.

The penultimate match of the regular season had different stakes for both squads. On one hand, it was the game that clinches at least a playoff game for a semis advantage for La Salle. On the other, it was a non-bearing match for a UE squad going through the motions. Nonetheless, the match featured a competitive atmosphere from both teams.

Fresh off from beating the top-seeded Lady Eagles, the Lady Spikers got off to a solid start but the Lady Warriors matched their effort. The opening set went back-and-forth as UE kept up with La Salle’s pace. The set was in a deadlock at 13 apiece when the Lady Spikers mounted a run to pull ahead by four, 18-14, as UE called for time. The ceasefire did nothing to stop the momentum of the Lady Spikers. La Salle maintained a steady pace to end the set, 25-17.

The second frame was identical to the first set. The Lady Warriors went blow-for-blow with the Lady Spikers. The set was in another deadlock at six apiece and La Salle went to work again. The Taft-based squad blasted the Lady Warriors going on an 11-4 run to pull away, 17-10. From then on, the Lady Spikers never looked back and swiftly ended the set.

UE once again kept the third set close, always within striking distance of the defending champions. The set looked like it could go both ways when La Salle got going yet again and mounted a crushing 4-0 run capped by a miscue from the side of the Lady Warriors.
UE tried to regain their footing off a timeout, cutting the deficit to two, 19-17, but the Lady Spikers would not relent. Back-to-back hits from Des Clemente and Des Cheng, extended the lead to four, 21-17, prompting UE coach Dimaculangan to call timeout.

The Lady Spikers were unfazed by the breather and went on to win the set. Consecutive hits from rookie Ynna Hatulan got the better of the Lady Warriors’ defense promptly ending the match.

Aduke Ogunsanya won Player of the Game honors, scoring 10 points on eight attacks, one block and one ace.

Catch the DLSU Lady Spikers (10-3) as they try to enter the final four on a high note, taking on the FEU Lady Tamaraws, on April 28, Sunday, 4 PM at the Filoil Flying V Centre.

How La Salle reasserted its mastery over league-leading Ateneo

Photo by Flavius Dulce

After the victory over the Adamson Lady Falcons, Head Coach Ramil De Jesus said he wanted his squad to surprise rivals Ateneo De Manila University Lady Eagles anew in the second round. And surprise them they did as the Lady Spikers sent the Katipunan crew crashing back to Earth with a straight-sets beatdown.

Prior to the match, most fans (including me) anticipated a nip-and-tuck affair, but we were treated to a shocker, too. Standing at the front corner of the isle side-court, I expected a different Ateneo squad simply because they have long been wanting to exact revenge on DLSU – the team which they have not beaten since the second round of Season 79. It felt like it at the start. However, the brilliance of Coach RDJ and his staff was again on full display as the Lady Spikers shut their arch-nemeses down convincingly with their tricks.

La Salle showcased a masterful performance, removing doubts on the capabilities of the team winning its fourth consecutive title this year. The win over ADMU sent a warning to the rest of the league that DLSU is peaking just at the right time. No matter how bad they looked with their losses, the crown still sits in Taft. Perhaps, the Lady Spikers have now activated their championship mode?

The volleybelles in Green started with the most effective strategy that they have been using against the Lady Eagles: challenging their floor defense. Ateneo has vastly improved with its digging (currently at #4) and reception (#2), but La Salle still put them to the test. In the early moments of the first set, the Lady Eagles kept in-step with the defending champs. La Salle’s mentor could not wait any longer, so he pulled off one of his tricks immediately. May Luna checked in for Tin Tiamzon. Game changer. The fiery outside hitter caught the blue side off guard with her jump float serves. One of the sharpest of its kind I have ever seen. From my position at the Araneta Coliseum, that volleyball really looked like an arrow daggered to the heart. It was fast. You know it’s coming at you, but you just do not when and how fast it would strike down. From there began the destruction of Ateneo as Luna made a living at the service line. Most of her serves were not necessarily converted to aces, but they ruined the Lady Eagles first ball, hence the few chances to attack for ADMU. The Green and White had 8 service aces compared to Ateneo’s 3. La Salle also dominated the attacking department, 37-27. It is also important to note that the reigning champs limited their foes to only 3 attack points in the second set (25-13). A dismal performance to say the least for the second-best spiking team in the league.

Another bright spot for DLSU was Michelle Cobb’s setting. Her playmaking took away Ateneo’s main weapon: blocking. The Lady Eagles’ walls were non-existent, ending up with 0 kill block. On offense, Cobb made her middles and outside hitters work. She pressed the right buttons to counter ADMU’s defense. The only glaring stat is that the third-year setter only tallied 16 excellent sets, while her counterpart Deanna Wong had 21. The St. Scholastica alum’s decision-making paved the way for her spikers to be confident with their attacks. When the Lady Eagles established their blocking, the Lady Spikers would go for cut shots and long balls. When the opponents were a step slower on defense, then it was an opportunity for heavy hits. Heading into this game, La Salle’s spiking was a primary concern. However, thanks to Cobb’s magic, towers Des Clemente and Aduke Ogunsanya were able to punish from the middle, while the outside hitters especially Jolina Dela Cruz, kept the other side guessing.

On defense, it is still amazing how DLSU quickly turned things around. The net and floor defenses of the Lady Spikers were inconsistent coming into this game. However, they just flipped the switch against the Lady Eagles and reminded everyone who the best defensive team really is. Coach De Jesus’ crew built an impenetrable wall, posting 6 kill blocks. The team had lesser excellent receptions and digs, but that’s because of Ateneo’s disrupted offense, leading to multiple chance balls throughout the match. Much of the credit should also be given to CJ Saga who played her best game for La Salle this season. Saga is no Dawn Macandili (there will never be another Dawn and she admits that), but she got the job done. DLSU’s defensive ace played with a chip on her shoulder, and she stepped up with the rest of the team.

La Salle knows how to beat Ateneo. The Lady Spikers have been giving the Lady Eagles riddles that they still could not answer. The Taft squad’s mentor proved once again that he could mold his team to its best form, no matter the personnel he has. It’s just sticking to what has been working for the past three years, while also adding “surprises” here and there. Just like that, La Salle is back to its championship form and a 10-game winning streak was snapped. Coach Ramil revealed to us his magic, and we hope to see more along the way. Two games left in the eliminations and there is no holding back en route to that elusive four-peat.

DLSU’s last two assignments in the eliminations will be against UE and FEU on April 24 and 28, respectively.

Lady Spikers snap Ateneo’s 10-game winning streak in straight sets

Photo By: Karl Dela Cruz

The De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers reasserted dominance over the Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU) Lady Eagles in straight sets, 25-17, 25-13, 25-23, on April 13, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The match was a key contest for both squads as the playoffs draw closer. With tournament dominance up for grabs, both teams got off to a solid start. The Lady Eagles and Lady Spikers went blow-for-blow in the early part of the set. But the defending champions soon flipped the switch and blasted the Katipunan-based squad to pull ahead.

Up by a single point, 14-13, the Lady Spikers went on a blistering 9-1 run to pull ahead 23-14, capped by a hammer from team captain Desiree Cheng. The stunning turn of events got the better of the Lady Eagles, dropping the ball and putting DLSU at set point, 24-14. Ateneo tried to extend their lifeline a little longer, saving three set points, 24-17, before eventually succumbing to La Salle, 25-17.

The Lady Spikers continued their roll in the second frame pulling ahead early. DLSU grabbed an 11-4 lead before Ateneo head coach Oliver Almadro tried to ice the Lady Spikers’ momentum with a timeout but to no avail. DLSU continued to pounce on the rattled Lady Eagles and never looked back, closing the set swiftly, 25-13.

The third set featured much of the same trend from the previous sets. The Taft-based squad showed control over their rivals, up as much as six, 22-16, near the end of the third set. The match was as good as over but the Lady Eagles had other plans. Ateneo mounted a last ditch effort to save the match, cutting the deficit to a single point, 23-22.

After a smooth ride to the third set, tensions began to rise for the Lady Spikers as the Lady Eagles was in striking distance. La Salle caught a lucky break as an error by Deanna Wong put them at match point, 24-22. But just as the match appeared to be over, a service error by Des Clemente left the door open for the Lady Eagles, 24-23. Ateneo tried to hold on to tie the set but a hit from Aduke Ogunsanya put the final nail in the coffin, 25-23.

The Lady Spikers put on a clinic on the defensive end with six blocks against none for Ateneo. The veterans took center stage and was a key component in winning the match. May Luna was brilliant as La Salle outscored Ateneo, 35-17, in two sets while she was on the floor. Jolina Dela Cruz led the team in scoring with 14 markers while Clemente and Ogunsanya both had 10 apiece. CJ Saga earned Player of the Game honors tallying 21 excellent digs and 14 excellent receptions.

Catch the Lady Spikers as the try to extend their win streak against the Lady Warriors on April 24, Wednesday, 2PM at the Filoil Flying V Centre.

On A Roll: Lady Spikers make quick work of Lady Falcons to boost Final Four bid

The De La Salle Univesity Lady Spikers had one thing in mind earlier today: DOMINATE.

And they did just that as the team swept the Adamson University Lady Falcons for their third consecutive win, 25-15, 25-16, 25-16, in the UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

DLSU, very much, has control of its own destiny, and the victory only solidified the team’s bid in booking a return trip to the semis now that it holds an 8-3 record.

Rookie Jolina Dela Cruz took the spotlight, leading La Salle with 13 points and 10 excellent digs. Team captain Desiree Cheng chipped 11 points, while Aduke Ogunsanya posted nine. Back-up libero Ferlyn Nomil also shone on the defensive end with 13 excellent digs.

The Lady Spikers were all about business in the first set as they went off to a blazing 16-5 start and they never looked back.

In the second set, the Taft squad once again jumped to an 8-3 advantage, but the spikers from San Marcelino got their acts together to tie the match at 14. La Salle countered with its own version of a run behind the heroics of Dela Cruz and Tin Tiamzon as they eventually captured the set.

DLSU established another early lead in the third set. Adamson then cut the deficit down to two, but the Green and White shrugged off ADU’s rally and ballooned back its lead to six, 19-13, to take the fight out of the Lady Falcons.

The Lady Spikers locked down Adamson’s offense as leading scorers Trisha Genesis and Bern Flora only dropped seven points each.

La Salle next faces arch-nemesis ADMU Lady Eagles on Saturday, April 13 at 4 pm.

Lady Spikers take down Tigresses as Cheng posts new career-high

Co-written by: Genrev Villamin
Photo by: Flavius Dulce

The De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers avenged their first round loss against the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses with a four-set win, 21-25, 25-23, 25-19, 26-24, yesterday, March 31, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

The game’s beginning proved to be a difficult task for the Lady Spikers as they struggled with early errors from net touch violations and failed attacks. UST led La Salle, 8-4, at the first technical timeout after a net touch violation on Lourdes Clemente. The Lady Spikers remained kept themselves within striking distance by cutting the deficit to two, 14-16, at the second break. However, the Golden Tigresses pulled away with three straight points off the timeout. An ace from Roldan put them to set point, 24-18, before they took the set, 25-21.

The succeeding sets shifted the momentum in favor of the Lady Spikers, though it was no simple challenge. An attacking error from EJ Laure gave la Salle a 4-1 lead. On the other hand, a mis-hit by Jolina Dela Cruz tied the game at 5 before Tin Tiamzon’s error gave the lead to UST, 6-5. La Salle regained the driver’s seat at 10-9. They then came up with a 6-1 run that saw a Desiree Cheng block on Laure and an Aduke Ogunsanya denial on Dimdim Pacres. Dela Cruz joined the block party with a rejection on Sisi Rondina to as the Lady Spikers put up their biggest lead, 18-11. UST clawed their way back with a 6-1 run, but DLSU relied on their champion defense to take the second set, 25-23.

A service error by May Luna put the Lady Spikers behind the Golden Tigresses, 9-12, in the third set. But, the same set also saw a 10-point run from the defending champions turn that three-point deficit into a seven-point edge, 19-12. Cheng located an open corner to put La Salle up, 22-14, before a net touch violation on Laure put the Lady Spikers to set point, 24-17. But, Ogunsanya shut down the door on UST, 25-19, to post a pivotal 2-1 set lead.

The fourth set was a rather close game between the two teams. With UST determined to take the game into a fifth set, La Salle held up their defenses against their hungry opponents. An ace by Tiamzon gave them an 8-7 lead at the first technical timeout. But, the Golden Tigresses would not let go as the set was still tied until 20-all. Marionne Alba served up an ace and Cheng denied Rondina to give La Salle a breathing room ahead, 22-20. The Lady Spikers committed two errors that brought up the stakes and tied the game at 24-all. Laure had a chance to put UST to set point, but Clemente came up with an emphatic block as La Salle ended the set with the win, 26-24.

Team captain Desiree Cheng surpassed her recent career-high performance against NU with a whopping 20 points on 14 attacks, three kill blocks, and three service aces.

The Lady Spikers now sit at solo second behind their archrivals Ateneo Lady Eagles. They carry with them a win-loss record of 7-3.

The DLSU Lady Spikers will face the Adamson Lady Falcons on Sunday, April 7, 2 PM at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Cheng puts up 17 as Lady Spikers bounce back against NU

Photo by: Jempoy Pimentel

The De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers redeemed themselves with a straight-set victory, 25-20, 25-18, 25-10, against the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs earlier today, March 27, at the Filoil Flying V Centre.

Fresh from a devastating loss against the UP Fighting Lady Maroons, the Lady Spikers were beyond motivated in today’s remarkable comeback. Head coach Ramil de Jesus remarked that last Sunday’s defeat was one of their biggest losses: “Wag niyo isipin na mahina ang team. Kailangan nating maniwala sa team, maniwala sa sarili natin.”

The first set was a close game, with both teams answering each other’s attacks. It was obvious that their steady beginning boosted the Taft-based squad’s morale as they powered through the rest of the game. The third set, however, proved to be quite difficult for the Lady Bulldogs to follow as they trailed behind, 10-25.

Des Cheng finished off with a career-high 17 points off 14 attacks for the Lady Spikers. Tin Tiamzon and Lourdes Clemente proved to be great contenders as well as they challenged the Lady Bulldogs with 11 and nine markers, respectively.

Compared to their previous game with the UP Lady Fighting Maroons, DLSU committed only 10 errors against last Sunday’s crushing 37 errors.

With a 6-3 win-loss record, La Salle remains at the second spot of the UAAP Season 81 Women’s Volleyball Tournament alongside UST.

The DLSU Lady Spikers look to break that tie however, as they are set to face the UST Growling Tigresses on Sunday, March 31, 4 PM at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Lady Spikers fail to find antidote against Lady Maroons

Photo by: Jempoy Pimentel

The De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers once again fell to the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Lady Maroons, this time in straight sets, 16-25, 24-26, 19-25, earlier today, at the Ynares Center Antipolo.

La Salle got their record stained after bowing down to the same squad in a five-set thriller during the first round of the tournament.

Both teams were nip-and-tuck until back-to-back errors by La Salle forced UP to pull ahead, 14-7. The Lady Spikers attempted to rally some points, but their 10 errors committed were just too much as opposed to only five errors from the Lady Maroons.

The defending champions showed composure and showcased a different La Salle squad to start the second set. The Lady Spikers established a five-point cushion, 17-12, following a setting error violation on Ayel Estrañero. But, things eventually went downhill for the Taft-based squad. After committing one error after another, the girls found themselves staring at a tied game at 19-all. The Lady Maroons then took advantage of La Salle’s three service errors to steal the set, 26-24.

In danger of losing the game all in all, the Lady Spikers jumped off to a four-point lead, 6-2, in the third frame. A service ace by Lorie Bernardo evened the score at 7-all. An attempt straight to the net by Tin Tiamzon switched the tempo and gave the momentum back to UP. Subsequently, a service ace by Desiree Cheng brought La Salle back up, 14-13. It was a chess match from then on as neither squad wanted to concede a two-point margin. However, the Lady Maroons never looked backed when they took the lead at 19-17, handing La Salle their third loss of the season.

Team captain Cheng led the Green and White with 11 points, while Des Clemente and Dela Cruz added six apiece.

On the other hand, Tots Carlos led UP with 13 points, followed by Molde’s 11.

With this defeat, the Lady Spikers (5-3) joined UP, UST, and FEU in a four-way logjam at the second to fifth places.

Ironically, La Salle, the best serving team in the league, committed a whopping 37 errors, 17 of which were from the service line.

The DLSU Lady Spikers will attempt to bounce back against the NU Lady Bulldogs on Wednesday, March 27, 4PM at the Filoil Flying V Centre.