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)
