La Salle made short work of University of the Philippines, 25-17, 25-12, 25-13, Wednesday to gain the early lead in the 73rd UAAP women's volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City. The Lady Archers, eager to regain the title they lost last year to University of Santo Tomas, got big contributions from veteran Jacqueline Alarca and sophomore Abigail Marano to beat the Lady Maroons in only 62 minutes.
Alarca had 13 kills while Marano added 10 markers for the now undefeated Taft-based squad (2-0). Stephanie Mercado and Michelle Gumabao combined for 17 kills.
La Salle has yet to drop a set this season. The Lady Archers beat Shakey's V-League Season 7 second conference champion Adamson in similar straight sets on Sunday.
Carmela Lopez led UP with seven kills.
In the other game, Ateneo barged into the win column by foiling National U's comeback bid, 25-17, 25-16, 22-25, 26-24.
Rookie Ella de Jesus had another superb game with 18 winners, including four consecutive points in the game-clinching set that put the Lady Eagles ahead. She also got support from veteran Fille Cainglet, who finished with 12 kills.
Ateneo bounced back from a five-set loss to University of Santo Tomas last Saturday for an even 1-1 slate, tying NU and UP for third to fifth spots.
The Loyola-based volleybelles, who beat NU in 102 minutes, scored the first 13 points of the contest but struggled to close out the first two sets. The Lady Bulldogs extended the match to another set by taking the third frame.
Mervic Mangui had 16 kills while Lucelie Baylon and Rialen Sante added 12 and 10 each in a losing effort.
Meanwhile, Far Eastern University blasted University of the East, 25-18, 25-18, 25-18, to claim the early lead in the men's division (2-0).
NU came back from two sets down to defeat Ateneo, 16-25, 22-25, 25-16, 25-22, 15-13, to post its first win of the season.
