BY ABBY TORALBA
LA Salle clobbered University of the East 25-20, 25-21, 25-14 yesterday to stay unbeaten in the 85th UAAP women’s volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Middle blocker Thea Gagate powered the Lady Spikers with 13 points, eight from attacks and five blocks, while rookie Angel Canino scored 10 markers.
“Actually, we started slow. Masyado kaming nag-kampante. Iyon iyong sinasabi ko na once na hindi mo binigyan ng respeto iyong kalaban, ganyan ang lalaruin nila, may chance kayong talunin. Iyon nga iyong nangyari, first two sets parang sinasabayan lang iyong laro ng laban,” La Salle interim coach Noel Orcullo said.
“So hindi kami nag-stick doon sa game plan namin. Parang nawala, nag-start ng mabagal, iyon iyong lagi naming sinasabi sa kanila, kailangan hindi mawala iyong respeto sa kalaban kahit sino man iyan. Buti na lang noong third set, bumalik iyong inaral nila and then iyong game plan at bumalik iyong respeto,” he added.
The Taft-based squad tallied 15 blocks and eight service aces in the match that lasted an hour and 28 minutes as they rose to 4-0.
Vanessa Bangayan paced the Lady Warriors, who fell to 0-4, with 14 points, while skipper Janeca Lana had 11 markers.
In one of the other matches, Far Eastern University nipped Ateneo 25-12, 15-25, 19-25, 25-15, 18-16.
Jovelyn Fernandez led the Lady Tamaraws with 18 points, while rookie libero Margarett Encarnacion had 35 digs and 12 excellent receptions.
Rookies Alyzza Devosora and Mitzi Panangin also contributed 13 and 11 markers, respectively, as FEU improved to 2-2.
The victory was also FEU’s first win against the Blue Eagles since May 2019.
Faith Nisperors paced Ateneo, which dropped to 1-3, with 21 points, while AC Miner fired 17 markers.
Lyann De Guzman scored 16 points, while Vanie Gandler delivered 13 markers, 16 digs and 12 excellent receptions.
