DE LA SALLE University isn’t alone in the history books anymore.
The Lady Spikers duplicated the Lady Archers’ historic three-peat run in the V-League by trouncing the San Sebastian College-Recoletos (SSC-R) Lady Stags in Game 3 of their epic four-setter clash at The Arena in San Juan last May 27.
UST snatched its sixth crown in seven seasons in dominating fashion by subduing a tough SSC-R squad in four sets, 25-20, 25-27, 25-12, 25-15.
“I am so happy because we have been working hard for this [championship]. I always tell them [the Lady Spikers] to be patient and keep focused to reach our goal,” a jubilant coach Cesael de los Santos said. “We are doing this to make the people, especially the fans, happy.”
The Lady Spikers controlled the tempo of the fourth set, anchored on kills from Mary Jean Balse, and consistent blocking from Rhea Dimaculangan and Denise Santiago.
UST struggled in the opening canto, allowing the Lady Stags to get the edge early, 2-5. But the opponents’ errors paved the way for UST to take the steering wheel, 9-7.
Twin service aces by Rhea Dimaculangan backed by kills from Santiago and Michelle Carolino gave UST an advantage point, 23-20, before an attack error from SSC-R’s Suzanne Roces ended the set at 25-20.
It was a different story in the second set, however, as the Lady Stags capitalized on the errors of UST to carve their widest lead in the game, 11-20.
But the Lady Spikers woke up just in time to spark a 5-0 run planted on a variety of their kills and level the score at 22-all. However, SSC-R grabbed the set with Analyn Benito’s off-the-block hit and a block from Roces, 25-27.
UST then redeemed themselves in the next set with a 9-0 stretch from Balse’s four service aces. The Lady Spikers rode on this momentum to ice the set with a convincing 25-12 output, courtesy of Finals MVP and league’s Best Attacker Aiza Maizo’s off-the-block shot.
UST carried the onslaught in the fourth set with the Maizo-Balse-Santiago triumvirate providing much of the firepower to give the Lady Spikers an 18-10 cushion. Carolino’s attack put the Lady Spikers at match point before another service ace from Dimaculangan sealed the deal for UST, 25-15.
Maizo topscored for UST with 17 points while Maika Ortiz churned in 16 markers.
Prelude to the battle
Prior to their epic clash, the Lady Spikers succumbed to SSC-R after five grueling sets, 25-21, 16-25, 25-15, 20-25, 15-13, last May 25 in Game 2 of the Finals. UST’s loss allowed the Lady Stags to avenge their first-game defeat against UST last May 23—25-21, 22-25, 25-20, 25-15—to kick off the Spiker’s championship quest with a bang.
UST also had to take the long road to the top, bulldozing the Lyceum of the Philippines University Lady Pirates with a back-to-back victory last May 20 (25-19, 21-25, 25-17, 25-18) and May 18 (25-18, 25-23, 25-22) in their best-of-three semi-finals match, after a first game setback last May 16 (32-30, 15-25, 25-23, 23-25, 10-15).
In the quarterfinals, the Lady Spikers stunned Ateneo De Manila University (25-10, 23-25, 18-25, 29-27, 15-6) last May 13, and the College of St. Benilde Lady Blazers (25-10, 25-20, 25-14) last May 2.
The Lady Spikers ended the eliminations with a convincing victory over the University of St. La Salle (18-25, 25-20, 25-21, 25-9) last April 27, after a straight-set loss to SSC-R (21-25, 21-25, 23-25) last April 25. Charizze L. Abulencia
