The Lady Spikers escape with a 5-set win over a gutsy UST Tigresses squad 25-20, 17-25, 25-22, 15-25, 15-8 to open their bid for a three-peat in the UAAP.
The team looked a bit jittery to start the season as they finished with 38 unforced errors. And when it all seemed that UST has the momentum after a rousing Set 4 win, the two-time defending champions finally regained their poise in the 5th to get this hard-earned victory.
Tin Tiamzon gets the better of the UST defense in Set 5! #UAAPSeason80Volleyball pic.twitter.com/qlk1dmQFOQ
— ABS-CBN Sports (@abscbnsports) February 3, 2018
Reigning season MVP Majoy Baron led the Lady Spikers with 19 points and 5 blocks followed by last year’s finals MVP Desiree Cheng with 12 markers.
Kim Dy, reportedly hampered by a minor knee injury and did not start the match finished with 9 points.
KKD smashes it home!!! #UAAPSeason80Volleyball pic.twitter.com/70NiL7SPXN
— ABS-CBN Sports (@abscbnsports) February 3, 2018
The win spoiled the career game of UST’s Cherry Rondina who topped all scorers with 28.
Sophomore Michelle Cobb, who replaced Kim Fajardo as La Salle’s lead setter had 37 excellent sets to go along with 2 blocks.
The Lady Spikers will face the UP Lady Maroons next Saturday.
Scores:
DLSU – Baron 19, Cheng 12, Ogunsanya 10, Dy 9, Tiamzon 9, Cobb 6, Layug 2, Luna 2, Tiu 2, Saga 0
UST– Rondina 28, Alessandrini 18, Pacres 6, Bicar 4, Palec 3, Francisco 2, Viray 1, Bangad 0, Dizon 0, Sandoval 0