DLSU Lady Spikers sweep Lady Tamaraws in Ara Galang’s return

MANILA, Philippines- The De La Salle University Lady Spikers showed mastery over the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws in a straight set victory, 29-27, 25-23, 25-20, in UAAP Season 78 women’s volleyball tourney, February 3, at the PhilSports Arena.

Mika Reyes led the scoring with 13 points while DLSU star Ara Galang, who returned after suffering injuries to her ACL, MCL and a big bone bruise last season, dropped 10 points off of 10 attacks. Carol Cerveza chipped in another 10 markers. 

“She’s at about 85% percent of where she was last year. Pero kailangan namin na maging better siya than last season,” said De La Salle Assistant Coach Benson Bocboc on Galang. 

(She’s at about 85% percent of where she was last year but we need her to be better this season.) 

The squad of Coach Ramil De Jesus who fell short of the title after losing to two-time defending champions Ateneo de Manila University, started the game in an aggressive fashion with FEU not disappointing to answer back in the first set, 29-27.

But the Lady Spikers showed maturity and held onto their momentum as Reyes and Baron provided defensive muscle peppered with the attacks of Galang down the stretch.

Rookie May Luna also stepped up today after playing in three sets, finishing with 5 points.

Despite the win, the De La Salle side hopes to limit their errors in the coming games to fewer than 6 or 8 per set.

“We’re still trying to limit our errors. Ang dami naming free points na binigay sa kalaban,” said assistant coach Bocboc.

(We’re still trying to limit our errors. We gave a lot of free points to the opponent.)

On the other hand, Toni Rose Basas topped the FEU Lady Tamaraws with 13 points coming off 12 attacks and a block, while Mary Palma and Bernadeth Pons added 12 and nine markers apiece. – Rappler.com