DEFENDING champs De La Salle University Lady Spikers made quick work of the UST Golden Tigresses, 25-23, 25-22, 25-21, in the UAAP Season 79 women’s volleyball tournament at the Arena in San Juan Wednesday.
The Lady Spikers capitalized on UST’s dismal floor defense with 37 kills and 11 aces to notch the twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals.
UST came within striking distance in the third set with Lady Spiker Kim Dy taken out following an awkward fall, 20-21, but La Salle scored a 4-1 run to complete the sweep.
Desiree Cheng led La Salle with 13 points while Dy and Ernestine Tiamzon added 12 and 11, respectively.
“Parang nasumpa o nakulam kami mula first set hanggang third set,” UST head coach Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes Jr. said in an interview.
“Humabol naman kami pero hindi lang talaga para sa amin ang laro today,” he added.
After being down by as much as eight points, the Tigresses cut the deficit to two, 22-24, but Majoy Baron’s attack gave La Salle a 2-0 set advantage.
The Lady Spikers, who trailed by a point late in the opening set, 21-22, reached set point following three straight UST errors.
UST team captain Cherry Ann Rondina paced UST with 13 kills while EJ Laure and Mary Dominique Pacres had 11 and 10, respectively.
The Tigresses, who slid to fourth tied with the University of the Philippines and National University behind a 7-5 record, will face the Lady Maroons on April 2, Sunday, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
