Pinoy Spikers (Philippine Spike)

CHA Cruz fired 12 points in her final game for La Salle, which clipped Ateneo, 25-16, 25-22, 25-13, and clinch its second straight title in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament Wednesday at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Far Eastern University copped its first men’s championship in four years by dethroning University of Santo Tomas, 25-27, 25-15, 19-25, 21-25, 15-13.

By ending the Growling Tigers’ four-year reign, the Tamaraws booked their league-leading 25th title. Read the rest of this entry »

THE mighty La Salle Lady Archers inched closer in claiming the outright championship berth by downing National University, 25-16, 25-11, 25-18, in the UAAP women’s volleyball competitions Wednesday at the Filoil Flying V Arena sa San Juan.
     Abigail Maraño had 15 hits, including two blocks, while rookie Ara Galang and Michelle Gumabao added 12 hits apiece for La Salle.

     Ateneo recorded its best elimination round record in 33 seasons in the league with a 25-8, 25-23, 25-18 dumping of University of the Philippines in the opening match.

     The Lady Eagles are now setting their eyes on stopping the Lady Archers’ bid for a rare sweep in the last day of eliminations on Sunday.

     “We will try our best to stop yung swep ng La Salle. Mahirap kasi na magkaroon ka ng thrice-to-beat na disadvantage sa finals,” said Ateneo coach Roger Gorayeb.

     “Hopefully lahat ng mga players ko pumutok sa Sunday,” he added.

     The Lady Eagles toyed around the Lady Maroons in the opening frame before coasting along in the next two sets to notch their 11th win in 13 assignments.

     Fille Cainglet fired 13 points while Dzi Gervacio added 12 hits for Ateneo.

     Gorayeb used Alyssa Valdez as substitute and finished with four hits, while Gretchen Ho missed her second straight game due to injury.

     Ho, who is a vital cog in the middle for the Lady Eagles, is expected to play against the Lady Archers on Sunday.

     La Salle hopes to complete its first double-round elimination sweep since 2004 season with a star-studded line-up led Maureen Penetrante, Manilla Santos, Desiree Hernandez, Chie Saet and She Penano, where the Taft-based spikers were then outright champions.

     “Halos lahat ng team nag-aambisyon na makagawa ng 14-0 record dahil nandoon ang advantage.  Para makuha mo ito, kailangang paghirapan mo,” said Lady Archers mentor Ramil de Jesus.

     Cai Nepomuceno collected nine hits for the Lady Bulldogs.

     Angeli Araneta, Joyce Palad and Pau Genido registered seven hits for UP.

     The Lady Bulldogs fell to 1-12 mark, while the Lady Maroons are still winless in 13 matches.

     In the men’s division, Jayson Ramos fired 12 hits as five-peat seeking University of Santo Tomas (10-3) moved closer in claiming the second ‘twice-to-beat’ slot in the semifinals by downing Ateneo (1-12), 25-20, 25-21, 25-14.

     Adamson (9-4), paced by Armando Maleon with 18 points, clinched the third ‘Final Four’ berth by booting UP (6-7) out of contention with a 27-25, 19-25, 25-19, 18-25, 15-6 victory.  (TJ)

DEFENDING champion La Salle inched closer in claiming a ‘twice-to-beat’ slot in the semifinals by clobbering University of the East, 25-22, 25-18, 25-18, Saturday in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Michelle Gumabao finished with 11 hits, including two service aces, while Cha Cruz contributed nine markers as the Lady Archers rolled to a 10th consecutive victory.

Later, Alyssa Valdez dropped a season-high 30 points as Ateneo dumped National University, 25-7, 25-20, 17-25, 25-19, to move a win away from clinching a semis ticket. Read the rest of this entry »

UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas dug deep on its bench to subdue Ateneo, 14-25, 25-21, 25-19, 25-23, and boost its ‘Final Four’ campaign in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament Sunday at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Maru Banaticla, Maika Ortiz and Judy Caballejo combined for 39 hits, but it was the reserves – Pam Lastimosa, substitute setter Loren Lantin and Jessey de Leon – delivered for the Tigresses to halt the Lady Eagles’ four-game winning streak.

“Lahat ng hinugot ko, may contribution.  Ito na ang pinakamagandang laro namin this season,” said UST rookie coach Odjie Mamon, whose wards avenged their first round loss to Ateneo.

Lastimosa, a niece of former PBA player Jojo Lastimosa, finished with 12 points, including four service aces, while De Leon added five hits for the Tigresses.

Earlier, University of the East dealt University of the Philippines its eighth consecutive loss with a 25-20, 25-21, 25-21 victory and remained on course for a semifinals berth. Read the rest of this entry »

ATENEO bucked a searing Adamson rally in the fourth frame and held steadier in the deciding set to escape with a 22-25, 25-19, 16-25, 25-23, 15-11 win and retain second place at the end of the first round of the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament Wednesday at the Filoil Flying V Arena sa San Juan.

Dzi Gervacio dropped a season-high 19 hits while Fille Cainglet added 14 markers as the Lady Eagles extended their winning run to four games.

A yellow card was handed out on libero Angelica Vasquez for pointing an accusing finger to the referee did not help for the Lady Falcons in the fourth frame, which changed the complexion of the match.

Earlier, Far Eastern University capped its first round campaign with an easy 25-23, 25-17, 25-19 victory over National University.

Rosemarie Vargas poured in 13 hits, while Wenneth Eulalio added 11 points, including three blocks for the Lady Tamaraws, who drew 17 digs from libero Christine Agno. Read the rest of this entry »