DEFENDING champion La Salle downed a grieving University of the Philippines side, 25-10, 25-8, 25-18 to move two wins away of clinching an outright championship berth in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament yesterday at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Rookie Ara Galang paced the Lady Archers with 10 markers, as all players that coach Ramil de Jesus fielded in scored at least one hit.
Earlier, Adamson survived a gritty University of the East stand in the third frame to hammer out a 25-11, 25-22, 27-25 victory and gain upperhand in the race for the remaining two ‘Final Four’ slots.
Sheila Pineda dropped 18 points, including four service aces and two blocks, while Pau Soriano added 14 hits, including two blocks for the Lady Falcons.
Adamson broke away from a three-way tie with University of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University to move up to third place at 8-5.
The Tigresses and the Lady Tamaraws are holding 7-5 cards in fourth spot.
The two squads paid tribute to former Lady Maroons player and courtside reporter Maan Panganiban, who passed away at the young age of 25-years old last week due to lymphoma. She was cremated yesterday.
During the warm-ups, La Salle and UP wore tribute t-shirts which has Panganiban’s jersey number 15 on the back.
“Nakakalungkot talaga at nakakabigla ang nangyari kay Maan (Panganiban). It is a very touching tribute,” said de Jesus.
The Lady Archers improved to 12-0 card and are on track in completing a rare 14-game sweep of the eliminations.
La Salle will next take on National University on Wednesday before capping its elims campaign against Ateneo on Feb. 12.
“Wala namang dapat baguhin sa inilalaro ng team. Basta ang importante ay lagi kaming handa every game and we give our 100 percent best,” said de Jesus.
The Lady Maroons absorbed their 12th successive loss.
Sarina Faith Bulan collected 14 points, while Sheisa Nebrida added 10 hits for the Lady Warriors.
UE, which has already eliminated in the semis race last week, slipped to 4-9 slate.
The Lady Warriors last led, 25-24, from a Nebrida kill, before the Lady Falcons wrapped things up with three consecutive hits, with two coming from Pineda.
In the men’s division, JR Labrador uncorked 23 points as FEU (11-2) clinched the semifinals bonus with a 25-12, 25-10, 19-25, 26-28, 15-8 decision of UP (6-6).
Ron Jay Galang scored 16 hits to lift Adamson (8-4) to a 25-13, 25-17, 25-16 win over Ateneo (1-11) and boost its ‘Final Four’ bid. (TJ)
