UAAP: La Salle overwhelms Ateneo, takes Game 1 in straight sets

A phalanx of La Salle defenders block an attack by Ateneo's Alyssa Valdez. Photo by KC CRUZ, GMA News

The De La Salle Lady Spikers defeated the Ateneo Lady Eagles, 25-22 25-22 25-21, to take Game 1 of the UAAP women's volleyball finals on Saturday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Kim Dy led La Salle with 15 points off 11 kills, while Mika Reyes had 13 markers with six blocks. Ara Galang and Majoy Baron, meanwhile, chipped in 10 each.

The Lady Spikers were down early in the first set, getting buried in a 5-0 hole to start the game. They recovered on defense, outclassing Ateneo 6-1 in blocks en route to a 25-22 win.

It was a tighter set in the second, with the two teams tying the game at 21-all late. Ara Galang and Majoy Baron sandwiched a Bea De Leon attack to retain a 23-22 lead, before back to back blocks helped La Salle clinch a 25-22 win for a 2-0 lead.

La Salle looked like it was going to cruise to a straight sets victory midway through the third, transforming a 16-11 edge to 22-15. A 5-0 blast from Ateneo had DLSU head coach Ramil De Jesus calling for time, before back to back hits from Galang put the game away.

Alyssa Valdez led Ateneo with 17 points off 15 kills, while Jho Maraguinot tallied eight. Bea De Leon and Amy Ahomiro scored seven apiece. — APG, GMA News