MANILA, Philippines — La Salle turned a highly-anticipated showdown with defending champion University of Santo Tomas into a rout as the Lady Archers rolled to a straight-set win, 25-20, 25-19, 25-12, and completed a seven-game sweep of the 73rd UAAP women's volleyball tournament Wednesday. In a rematch of last year's finals, the expected see-saw match did not materialize as the Taft-based squad needed just 73 minutes to frustrate UST’s supporters at The Arena in San Juan.
Sophomore Abigail Marano led La Salle with 13 points while Stephanie Mercado added 12 points.
Michelle Gumabao had her best production of the season with 11 markers.
It was the second straight year that the Lady Archers swept the first round. They had a chance to post a perfect 14-0 slate last season but were thwarted by UST in the last playing game.
Aiza Maizo, the hot candidate for the Most Valuable Player award, was the lone double-digit scorer for UST with 16 points.
Earlier, Far Eastern University barged into the win column following a 23-25, 25-17, 25-20, 19-25, 15-8 victory over University of the Philippines.
Meantime, defending champion Far Eastern University opened its title-retention bid on a high note by winning its first two assignments in the 2010-11 UAAP chess team championships at the 9/F, FEU Technology Bldg., Nicanor Reyes St., Sampaloc, Manila.
Led by veteran Sheider Nebato and handled by coach GM Jayson Gonzales, FEU fashioned out a pair of 3.5-.5 victories over University of Santo Tomas in the first round and University of the Philippines in the second round to take the early lead in the eight-team, seven-round tournament.
Nebato defeated Gerald Ferriol of UST and Wilbert Pilarta of UP in their board-two matches to lead the Tamaraws’ early show of force.
Alfredo Rapanot crushed Patrick Erle Florendo of UST and Marc Chrisitan Nazario of UP on board three, while Antonio Chavez outclassed Jude Emil Fronda of UST and Simone del Roario of UP on board four.
Jonas Terrado, Manila Bulletin
