By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers pulled away in the deciding set to defeat the Adamson University Lady Falcons, 19-25, 25-20, 25-21, 13-25, 15-5, in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Wednesday, March 11.
The Lady Spikers unleashed an eight-point finishing run in the fifth set to seal the victory and improve to a perfect 6-0 record, keeping themselves on track for a possible first-round sweep.
Negrense Angel Canino finished with 19 points, backing up Shevana Laput, who led the charge with 26 points, and Shane Reterta, who added 10 markers, to help the Lady Spikers recover after Adamson forced a decider by dominating the fourth set.
After trading sets in the first four frames, the match remained tight early in the fifth before La Salle seized control.
The Lady Spikers strung together eight straight points to turn a slim lead into a commanding 15-5 finish.
With the win, La Salle moved one victory away from sweeping the first round and will try to complete the feat when it faces defending champion National University Lady Bulldogs in a Season 87 finals rematch on Sunday, March 15.
Meanwhile, Adamson slipped to a 3-3 record in the standings. Frances Mordi led the Lady Falcons with 22 markers.
Meanwhile, the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses recovered from a sluggish opening set to defeat the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 16-25, 25-13, 25-19, 25-20.
Angeline Poyos led the way with 24 points, on 20 attacks, three blocks and a service ace, to go with seven excellent digs and six excellent receptions as the Golden Tigresses improved to a 3-3 record.
Regina Jurado added 16 markers, Jonna Perdido contributed 12 points, Cassie Carballo contributed 18 excellent sets to go with one point, and Bernadett Pepito had 15 excellent receptions and nine digs for UST.
After dropping the first frame, the Golden Tigresses regrouped and took control of the match by dominating the second set before sustaining their momentum in the next two frames to secure the four-set victory.
Niña Ytang top-scored for the Fighting Maroons with 14 points, while Jelai Gajero added 11 markers.
They slipped to a 3-3 mark./ASC, WDJ