By ADRIAN STEWART CO
De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers clawed back from two sets down to beat National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs in Game 2, 19-25, 23-25, 25-15, 25-17, 15-10, to clinch the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball crown at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Sunday, May 14.
Bacolodnon Angel Anne Canino top-scored with 19 points, including 12 attacks, six service aces and a block, as the Lady Spikers finished off the Lady Bulldogs in two games to capture their 12th UAAP women’s volleyball championship.
Thea Gagate chipped in 17 markers, while Shevana Laput and Mereophe Sharma contributed 12 and 11 markers, respectively, for DLSU, which bounced back from their championship loss to the Lady Bulldogs last season.
After dropping the first two sets, the Lady Spikers went on a massive surge in the third frame behind Canino, Gagate and Bacolodnon Princess Maicah Larroza to stay alive with a 25-15 domination.
The Lady Spikers jumped to an early advantage in the fourth frame behind Canino, Gagate and Laput as the lead reached double-digits. The Lady Bulldogs rallied to within 16-21, but clutch attacks by Gagate sent the match to the fifth set.
In the fifth frame, the Lady Spikers surged to a 5-1 start behind back-to-back blocks by Laput and connections from Gagate. The Lady Bulldogs rallied back to tie the score at 7-all.
The Lady Spikers were clinging to a 10-9 advantage before Gagate unloaded three straight points followed by an attack from Alleiah Malaluan to reach the championship point at 14-9.
Alyssa Solomon saved a championship point for the Lady Bulldogs with a conversion, but Gagate went for the kill to secure the come-from-behind win and the title for the Lady Spikers.
“Tyinaga ng mga bata. Kahit pa sabihing umabot ng five sets, mas masarap manalo nang pinaghirapan mo,” Lady Spikers assistant coach Noel Orcullo said.
Solomon top-scored with 34 points, including 31 attacks, while Mhicaela Belen chipped in 11 markers for the Lady Bulldogs, who missed the services of Sheena Toring due to a partial ACL tear injury./ASC, WDJ