MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – A mature DLSU side prevailed over an energetic rookie-laden UP team in the UAAP Season 78 women's volleyball tournament, 18-25, 25-12, 25-18, 25-21, Wednesday, March 16 at the FilOil Flying V Arena.
The Lady Spikers dropped the first set to UP but bounced back stronger and grittier, dominating the next 3 frames.
Mika Reyes and Kim Dy both registered 14 points while Ara Galang also added 12 markers.
"May factor 'yung pagiging bata nila. Pag crucial na, kumakalas," said DLSU Coach Ramil De Jesus on UP.
(Their being young is a factor. They let go when it becomes crucial.)
The Lady Spikers clobbered the Lady Maroons in the second canto, burying them in a whopping 17-point lead, 24-7.
"You saw that UP dominated the first set. That's the skills and talents of the UP recruits," De Jesus told reporters in Filipino.
He added that he didn't let his team, which clearly has more experience under their belt, to be overtaken by the opposing team's rookies.
That showed in the deciding frame with La Salle completely destroying UP's defense, 25-21.
A slew of 18 service errors also plagued the Diliman-based squad.
Diana Carlos was the only one to finish with double digits from the Lady Maroons, recording 14 points including 10 kills.
La Salle now shares the top spot with defending champion Ateneo, both holding an 8-2 record, while UP slides to 6-4. – Rappler.com