THREE-TIME defending champion De La Salle University Lady Spikers avenged their first round loss and dismantled the UST Golden Tigresses, 21-25, 25-23, 25-19, 26-24, in the UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena Sunday.
UST scattered 44 errors while La Salle had 36.
The Lady Spikers improved to solo second with a 7-3 win-loss record, while the Tigresses dropped to fourth behind a 6-4 slate.
Prized rookie Eya Laure’s attack error in the fourth set sealed the deal for La Salle, 26-24.
“It was was bad game because we almost contributed 44 points sa kalaban. Sa tingin ko, hindi dahil sa pressure pero dahil madami lang talagang bolang maling naitapon,” UST head coach Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes Jr. said.
The Lady Spikers were at set point in the third canto, 24-19, before Aduke Ogunsanya fired a quick kill to take a commanding 2-1 set lead.
With the second salvo tied at 23-all, La Salle fired a two-point swing, capped by team captain Desiree Cheng’s through-the-block hit to equalize.
KC Galdones’ block kill on Cheng in the first frame allowed the Tigresses’ to take an early advantage, 25-21.
The Lady Spikers outscored the Tigresses in block points, 12-6.
Cheng had a career-high 20 points for La Salle.
Laure paced UST with 20 points while team captain Sisi Rondina added 19 markers.
The Tigresses will try to bounce back against the University of the East Lady Warriors on April 6, Saturday, 2 p.m., at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
