No sweep: UP stains DLSU's clean record in thrilling five-setter

The UP Lady Maroons dealt the DLSU Lady Spikers their first loss in the UAAP Season 81 women's volleyball tournament during Saturday's thrilling five-setter, 21-25, 25-20, 25-21, 20-25, 15-12, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Justine Dorog delivered the final point for the Diliman-based squad, capping UP's three-point run to take the win after being tied at 12 in the deciding set.

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In the fourth set, the green-and-white squad led by as much as five, 20-15, but UP made a 3-0 run to close the gap at 20-18. A Jolina Dela Cruz point started DLSU's run to save the game for the Lady Spikers, 25-20.

DLSU had the lead in the third set, 19-17, until Dorog sparked a run for UP to pull away and claim the set, 25-21.

The Lady Spikers had the advantage after the first frame, 25-21, but the Lady Maroons equalized in the second set, 25-20.

"The win today was good, but we were struggling as usual," UP head coach Godfry Okumu said about his team's win.

"It's not over 'til we finish with a championship. Some teams win, some teams lose. It's part of the game. It's a good win, but there's more to come for our team."

"It was a tough fight from La Salle," UP's Ayel Estrañero meanwhile added. "Kitang-kita na lumaban din sila but I guess we really wanted to win. We felt na binibigay na sa'min, kailangan lang talaga naming akuin 'yung laro, eventually we got the win."

Okumu also acknowledged that defending champs La Salle were not easy to beat, and it was their aggressiveness that delivered the win.

"I believe we were more aggressive that's why we were able to win, but the game was pretty much balance. They're not a team that's easy to beat. They're a very strong team because of the discipline itself," he explained.

Isa Molde topped the Maroons in scoring with 20 points. Estrañero, on the other hand, listed 38 excellent sets.

Aside from dealing La Salle its first loss this season, this was also UP's first win against the defending champs since Season 79.

"Ang saya lang kasi 'yung sa game na 'yun, makikita mo ang teamwork. Siguro gusto talaga naming manalo kanina," Molde said.

With UP's win, they now share the lead with DLSU at top of the standings with a 3-1 win-loss card.

UP will be back in action next week when they play the Ateneo Lady Eagles. DLSU, on the other hand, will try to bounce back against the UST Golden Tigresses on Ash Wednesday. — DVM, GMA News