By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The De La Salle University Lady Spikers are the real deal.
After failing to clinch a single win against the last season’s champions, the revamped DLSU squad finally broke through and got back at the National University Lady Bulldogs in a sweeping fashion, 25-10, 25-15, 25-21, to stay undefeated in the ongoing UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament last March 22, 2023.
The Lady Spikers opened the highly-anticipated matchup waxing hot after immediately piling up the points in their first 10 offensive possessions.
Senior member and superstar setter Mars Alba led the charge for the green nation after orchestrating DLSU’s attacks to perfection.
The veteran setter was hailed as the game’s best player after dishing out 20 excellent sets in just a span of three sets.
Alba’s well-calculated cross sets to Angel Canino and Fifi Sharma kicked off DLSU’s relentless attack which resulted in an unexpected one-sided affair.
Canino, the tagged super rookie of the Lady Spikers poised to take the Rookie of the Year honors, put up 14 points built from 12 successful attacks while Sharma added 12 points, a block, and one service ace.
Despite NU waking up in the third and final set when Mhicaela Belen scored a couple of thundering jump service aces, the Lady Spikers still got back on track and regained their offensive rhythm when Alba helped restore order with her timely assists.
Thea Gagate also continued her consistent defensive play for the Lady Spikers and was responsible for three out of their 12 total blocks.
With the momentum-boosting victory, the Lady Spikers finished the first round of Season 85 with an impressive 7-0 record while the Lady Bulldogs settled for 5-2.
DLSU is currently leading the pack in the team standings while NU figured in a three-way tie with Adamson and UST.
