De La Salle players reacts after scoring against Ateneo (Photo by JM Albelda / RivalsPH)
TWO-TIME defending champion De La Salle University showed the heart of a champion in rising from the dead and nipping Ateneo de Manila University in five thrilling sets to take the top spot in the 75th UAAP women’s volleyball tournament before a huge crowd at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
The Lady Spikers dropped the first two sets, but came back to win the next three to complete the 26-28, 21-25, 25-13, 25-21, 15-13 win — their sixth in the tournament.
Ara Galang paced the Taft-based squad with 18 points while rookie setter Kim Fajardo did a splendid job in the last three sets and had eight points and 42 excellent sets to help La Salle complete their sixth straight win before almost 8, 000 fans at the venue.
Mika Reyes added 16 points off 12 hits and four blocks, Abi Maraño posted 12 markers and Michele Gumabao chipped in with 10 points as the Lady Spikers snapped their foes’ six-game winning streak.
Alyssa Valdez led Ateneo with 23 points off 16 kills, four aces and three blocks while Fille Cainglet tallied 16 markers before suffering a severely sprained ankle in the fourth.
