UAAP Season 78 Lady Spikers whip Maroons

MANILA, Philippines – La Salle stamped its class on University of the Philippines in four sets, 25-14, 25-13, 19-25, 25-20, to grab the solo lead in the UAAP Season 78 women’s volleyball tourney at the PhilSports Arena yesterday.

Just two days after their 29-27, 25-23, 25-20 victory over Far Eastern, the Lady Spikers came out blazing against the Lady Maroons and raced to double-digit leads in the first two sets. They then recovered from a third-set fumble to secure their second straight win.

“The players somehow relaxed in the third set and couldn’t sustain their offensive and defensive form,” said DLSU coach Ramil de Jesus.

National U caught up with UP 1-1 as the Lady Bulldogs shook off a shaky start in beating Adamson, 17-25, 25-20, 25-20, 25-20.  The Lady Falcons also fell to 1-1.

Mary Joy Baron stood tall and punched in 12 of DLSU’s 52 kills for a game-high 17 points to tow Ara Galang (13), rookie Ernestine Tiamzon (13), and Carol Cerveza (12) in scoring. Baron also accounted for four of the Lady Spikers’ nine block points.

“Joy dished out a good showing today, that’s what I really expect from her,” said De Jesus.

Kim Fajardo orchestrated DLSU’s attacks superbly with 41 excellent sets on top of her eight points.

Rookie Maria Lina Isabel Molde scored 15 as UP failed to follow up its straight-set triumph over University of the East on opening weekend. UP coach Jerry Yee tasked open spiker Nicole Tiamzon with playmaking chores for his game and the converted setter came up with 10 excellent sets.

Meanwhile, Jaja Santiago dropped 20 points while Myla Pablo added 13 as the Lady Bulldogs rebounded from their  loss to holders Ateneo last week.

Jessica Galanza, who had 28 in AdU’s previous win over Santo Tomas, led the way for the Lady Falcons again with 17 this time.

In men’s play, defendiing  titlist Ateneo turned back Far Eastern, 25-18, 25-19, 25-13, to seize pole position.

Ysrael Marasigan and Rex Intal delivered 11 markers apiece and eased the offensive burden on two-time MVP Marck Espejo (10) as the Blue Eagles went 2-0.

The Tams slipped to 1-1, the same card as Adamson, which picked up its first win at the expense of winless UE, 25-18, 25-14, 25-23.