a Salle took advantage on the absence of its rival’s floor leader, pulling off a tough five-set win over University of Santo Tomas at the start of their best-of-three finals series in the UAAP volleyball tournament Wednesday at The Arena in San Juan. The Lady Archers won, 25-18, 25-20, 19-25, 16-25, 15-10.
Both teams battled to a standstill but a cruel twist of fate happened in the fifth set after Maru Banticala suffered from cramps.
Banticala, who rallied her team in the third and fourth sets, had to leave the game in the latter part of the fourth set. She scored three consecutive kills to give the Tigresses a 21-11 lead in the fourth, but had to leave the game as her legs were totally giving in.
The Lady Archers seized the opportunity in the fifth and deciding set.
“Siguro kung nandun si Maru, naiba yung kuwento. Talagang sa kanya kami nahirapan. Hindi namin ma-check ang mga spikes niya sa third at fourth sets," admitted La Salle coach Ramil de Jesus.
“Kagaya nga ng sinasabi ko dati, pag nawalan ng isang tao ang UST wala na silang mapapaikot. Mababaw lang yung rotation nila. At nakita naman yun ng mga bata kaya sinamantala na rin nila," added de Jesus.
Jacqueline Alarca top scored for the Lady Archers with 14 hits, four aces and a block while teammates Stephanie Mercado, Gumabao and Marano contributed 13 points apiece.
Rey Joble, GMA News TV
