By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
THE defending University Athletic Association of the Philippines women’s volleyball champions De La Salle Lady Spikers go for their second win in a row when they collide with the Adamson Lady Falcons this weekend at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan City.
A four-set winner over rivals Ateneo Lady Eagles last time around, the Lady Spikers (1-0) try to add the Lady Falcons (0-1) in their list of conquered in Season 81 in their scheduled 4 p.m. encounter on Saturday, Feb. 23.
Playing in the opener of women’s play at 2 p.m. are the University of the East Lady Warriors (0-1) and National University Lady Bulldogs (0-1).
Against Ateneo in its season debut on Feb. 17, La Salle showed its trademark drive and steadiness to pound on its opponent en route to the 25-14, 25-17, 16-25 and 25-19 victory and set its “four-peat” bid in the UAAP on a high note.
Veteran Desiree Cheng led a balanced attack by the Lady Spikers with 13 points, eight off kills and two from blocks.
Backstopping her are rookie Jolina Dela Cruz and May Luna, who each had 11 points, while Aduke Ogunsanya had 10 points of her own.
Setter Michelle Cobb had eight points on top of 29 excellent sets for La Salle.
The Lady Spikers are hoping to continue playing well when they collide with the Lady Falcons, who are coming off a tough loss in their season debut previously.
“We just hope to continue to do well in our next game and working on some of our flaws. We have not seen much of Adamson but we have to be ready,” said La Salle coach Ramil De Jesus.
BOUNCE BACK FROM LOSS
Adamson, meanwhile, looks to bounce back after falling in a five-setter against the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses, 25-21, 25-21, 24-26, 24-26 and 15-6.
The Lady Falcons gallantly fought against UST, bucking being two sets down to force a deciding fifth set.
Unfortunately for Adamson, it could not sustain its spirited charge back in the deciding frame and slumped to the defeat.
Bernadette Flora showed the way for the Lady Falcons with a team-high 14 points.
Chiara Permentilla had 12 points while veteran Joy Dacuron finished with 10 for Adamson.
In the first game, UE and NU try to barge into the win column after losing in their respective opening matches.
The Lady Warriors fell to the University of the Philippines Lady Fighting Maroons in five sets while the Lady Bulldogs bowed to the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws in four.
Judith Abil had 20 points for UE in the tough loss.
Ivy Lacsina, meanwhile, paced NU against FEU with Princess Robles and Aubrey Paran adding 13 and 11 points, respectively.