LA Salle took advantage of the absence of open spiker Maru Banaticla in the deciding fifth set to escape with a 25-18, 25-20, 19-25, 16-25, 15-10 win over titleholder University of Santo Tomas and move closer in regaining the title in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament Wednesday at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
The Tigresses were able to send the game to a decider, but the España-based spikers sorely missed the hard-hitting spikes of Banaticla, who suffered cramps late in the fourth frame.
“I guess yung pagkawala ni Maru (Banaticla), yun ang naging turning point ng game. Kung nandiyan pa siya, baka nag-iba ang kuwento ng laro,” said Lady Archers mentor Ramil de Jesus.
Reigning men’s champion UST, meanwhile, moved a win away in clinching ‘four-peat’ by nipping Far Eastern University, 20-25, 25-23, 25-23, 25-23, in the series opener.
Jacq Alarca unloaded 19 hits, including four service aces, while Michelle Gumabao, Abigail Maraño and Stephanie Mercado added 13 points apiece for La Salle.
Leading MVP contender Aiza Maizo uncorked 20 hits while Banaticla was still able to finish with 19 hits, including four service aces, for UST.
The Lady Archers can clinch their sixth league title with another win in Game 2 slated on Saturday.
A kill by Maizo gave the Tigresses its last lead of the match, 5-4.
La Salle was able to pull away at 9-6 after a Maraño hit when UST scored three straight points, highlighted by a left-handed kill by Maizo to last tie the count at 9-9.
But this was the best the Tigresses can offer, as Maika Ortiz committed a service error followed by a block by Alarca, two successive hits by Cha Cruz and a Maizo attacking error for the Lady Archers to take a 14-9 spread.
Maizo connected a kill for UST to inch closer to 10-14 before reserve Verlyn Bernal misfired on her serve for La Salle to clinch the match point.
It was the third straight five-set win for the Lady Archers, who finished with a 13-1 record in the elims.
“Breaks lang ang nagpanalo sa amin. Pinahirapan kami ni Banaticla sa third at fourth set,” said de Jesus.
After Karl dela Calzada forged the match’s last deadlock at 23-23, behemoth JP Torres defied the Tamaraws blockers with his two kills for the Growling Tigers to get away with the victory.
UST will go for the 19th crown with another win in Game 2 slated on Saturday.
“Kaya naman ni JP (Torres) na ipanalo ang laban basta yung bawat atake niya hindi aabutan ng mga blocker,” said Growling Tigers mentor Emil Lontoc.
Jayson Ramos finished with 14 points, including two blocks, while Jay Depante and Torres added 13 and 11 points, respectively, for UST.
JR Labrador and Nestor Molate combined for 35 markers for FEU, which has won 24 men’s titles. (Theodore P. Jurado)
UAAP NOTES: With the game went into fifth set, the UAAP volleyball coverage went into overtime as it overlapped the PBA’s first game. The PBA is now airing its games on Studio 23. Awarding ceremonies for the MVP and other individual awards is slated on Saturday. Game 3, if necessary, is slated on Wednesday next week.
sana po next time wag na yung commentator from one of the schools playing ang magcover ng laro.. kasi nakakainis lang.. mabuti pa si ms anne remulla kahit from la salle sya di sya bias..