La Salle clinches 5th straight win in UAAP women's volleyball

Defending women's champion La Salle, as expected, clinched its fifth straight win after posting a 25-16, 25-17, 25-22 victory over University of the Philippines in the 74th UAAP volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City on Wednesday. It was a come-back win of sorts for the Lady Archers rallying twice in the first and second sets to frustrate the Lady Maroons, who failed to keep momentum on their side. La Salle seemed headed to wrap up the contest in the third set as it zoomed to a 19-11 lead but UP managed to tie the count twice, the last at 22-22 on a Jezah Lasmarias kill. Abigail Maraño, however, came to the Lady Archers' rescue with a timely drop shot while an error by UP skipper Joyce Palad put La Salle into match point. La Salle team captain Charlene Cruz, who tallied 19 points behind 11 hits and six digs, sealed the win with her seventh service ace. Maraño backed up Cruz's strong performance with 14 points, 12 on attacks. Despite facing lowly UP, which remained winless after five games, La Salle coach Ramil de Jesus said his wards still played below 100 percent because of their academic load. "Hindi kami makapag-ensayo ng buo dahil ongoing pa ang finals sa school. Baka by next month, siguro gumanda na siguro laro namin," said de Jesus. Angeli Araneta and Lasmarias each scored 10 for the Lady Maroons, who have yet to show chemistry this season. University of Santo Tomas scored a 25-18, 25-19, 25-18 victory over University of the East in the other women's match. Maru Banaticla had 16 points for the Tigresses who have won three straight after a 0-2 start. "Nag-improve naman kami sa service at reception," said UST coach Odjie Mamon.   The Tigresses also drew 13 points from Maika Ortiz and nine hits from rookie Carmela Tunay in disposing of the Lady Warriors, who were led by Jimberly Dawn Dizon’s 10 markers. UE dropped to a 1-4 record to stay ahead of UP in the standings. — JVP, GMA News