The eagerness to avenge their previous losses to Ateneo became La Salle’s battlecry in Game 1 of their best-of-three finals series in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament.
“Siguro may hugot factor lang kasi hindi talaga kami nanalo sa kanila nung eliminations,” said La Salle’s opposite spiker Kim Dy.
The Lady Spikers drew the first blood in the series with a 21-25, 29-27, 25-22, 25-20 triumph last Wednesday to move a win away from retaining their crown.
The victory also avenged their two elims defeats to the Lady Eagles, including a 12-25, 25-20, 25-21, 25-19 decision in their second meeting that settled them to No. 2 in the Final Four.
Veteran setter and skipper Kim Fajardo said their never-say-die mentality became more evident in the match to make up to their slow and erratic start.
“Ayaw talaga naming magpatalo. At saka ayaw ko ding i-down yung team ko especially dun sa mga moments na kailangan nila ako,” said Fajardo, whose sharp aces became crucial in their second-set win and later on, in grabbing the momentum.
La Salle Coach Ramil De Jesus also credited Fajardo’s leadership inside the court, as well as the offensive support from Tin Tiamzon, Desiree Cheng, and Christine Ogunsanya.
“Yung leadership niya (Fajardo), lumabas. Sinundan lang nga mga teammates niya,” said De Jesus.
“Sinabi ko rin sa kanila na hindi pwedeng limited lang yung pwedeng umatake. So masaya naman ako kasi nag-respond sila,” he added.
Game 2 of the finals is set tomorrow at the Smart Araneta Coliseum with La Salle seeking its second straight title and fourth crown in six years.