Powerhouse La Salle dominates UST

By Josiah Albelda Posted Dec 8th 2013

Just another day in the office for De La Salle University.

Save for a tense second set, the Lady Spikers hammered University of Santo Tomas in a straight-set domination in the 76th UAAP women's volleyball tournament Sunday at the jam-packed FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The three-peat queens showed their championship form and totally punished the Tigresses in the 25-8, 27-25, 25-13, for their second straight win before a huge crowd at the venue.

La Salle clinically dismantled UST in the first set, racing to a 16-3 lead before surviving a second set when they were in danger after a Mika Reyes error pushed the Tigresses up, 25-24.

But Jem Gutierrez flubbed her ensuing service, Pam Lastimosa got denied on her next attempt and Ara Galang pierced through the UST defense to seal the set for the Lady Spikers, 27-25.

Then La Salle buckled down to work anew in the third and left the Tigresses biting the dust en route to their 18th straight UAAP victory dating back to Season 75.

"Nagkaroon kami ng adjustment pero hindi pa rin enough," said Lady Spikers coach Ramil de Jesus. "Hindi pa rin nagkakasabay sa kundisyon yung mga bata."

Abi Marano top scored for La Salle with 14 points off six hits, four blocks and four aces while spikers Cyd Demecillo and Ara Galang brought the fireworks with 12 and 10 markers, respectively.

Meanwhile, Mela Tunay led UST with 10 points.