By NIKOLE JAVIER
La Salle survived some anxious moments before finally taming a surprisingly strong Far Eastern University side, 30-28, 25-12, 28-26, in the second round of the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament Wednesday, March 29, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Lady Spikers came into the game favored to win convincingly but had to ensure the spirited challenge of the Lady Tamaraws to extend their winning streak to 9 games.
More importantly, the win assured the Lady Spikers of at least a playoff berth.
Angel Canino led La Salle with 16 points all from attacks, while Jolina dela Cruz and Thea Gagate chipped in 13 and 11, respectively.
Meantime, University of Santo Tomas bounced back from a heartbreaking defeat in convincing fashion, drubbing University of the East, 25-17, 25-16, 25-17, in the first game.
Coming off a four-set loss to the Adamson Falcons, the Golden Tigresses started very well which they sustained despite the strong challenge from the Recto-based squad.
The win improved UST’s record to 6-3 while the Lady Warriors absorbed their 9th straight defeat.
Eya Laure led UST with 17 points off 15 attacks, one block and an ace.
Down by two in the third set, 12-10, the Golden Tigresses crawled back into the and tied the game at 16-all.
UST steadily pulled away behind a blazing 9-1 run punctuated by a Renne Peñafiel service ace.
“Malaking bagay para sa amin to. First round and second round [parehas] loss [sa first game]. Ang maganda naman bumabalik kami agad after ng pagkatalo namin marami kami dapat ayusin. Tumataas level ng labanan,” said UST head coach Kung Fu Reyes.
Despite three players finishing in double figures, UE still fell short of its quest to barge into the win column.
KC Cepada paced the Lady Warriors with 12 points, while Van Bangayan and JA Lana chipped in 11 and 10, respectively, in the losing effort.
