A NEW generation of spikers is expected to carry the fight for the La Salle Lady Spikers following their title conquest of the Ateneo Lady Eagles in the 78th University Athletic Association of the Philippines women’s volleyball tournament.
Three of them, Kim Kianna Dy, Mary Joy Baron and Dawn Nicole Macandili looked promising after helping the Lady Spikers assert themselves in Game 3 of the finals with a 19-25,25-21, 25-16, 25-16 victory over the Lady Eagles at the Araneta Coliseum last Saturday.
Dy was adjudged the Finals MVP, while Baron and Macandili took honors as best blocker and best digger, respectively, next to teammate Kim Fjardo, who was the best setter.
In the game, the Lady Eagles made an effort to tire out La Salle’s more experienced open spikers, Ara Galang and Cyd Demecillo during their 102-minute encounter.
Ateneo succeeded in keeping Galang and Demecillo at bay in the first set. But things changed when Dy and Baron helped out Galang and Demecillo at the frontline, along with Macandili.
“Their (Lady Eagles’) plan was to tire out our two open spikers. We managed to fix this problem. I told them after Game 2, it’s not finished yet. We lost Game 2, but there’s still Game 3. That was the good news,” said La Salle coach Ramil de Jesus.
The 20-year-old Dy, who plays as an opposite spiker, distinguished herself during the game with 17 points, after making 16 in Game 2.
Baron, a 5’11” middle blocker on her third year, chipped in 11 points for Lady Spikers, while Reyes, Galang and Demecillo added nine apiece.
Macandili, a five-foot libero, made her presence felt with her excellent ball distribution.
In the second set, Dy scored twice off blocks on Amy Ahomiro, while Kim Fajardo added an ace to give La Salle a 16-10 spread.
Blocks by Demecillo and Dy in the third saw La Salle move away, 14-9.
“Ipinakita namin that we really wanted to win. We started the season with a loss. So, coming from a loss in Game 2, ipinakita namin na kaya namin manalo ng championship this year,” said Dy.
De Jesus said the players learned from their Game 2 mistakes.
“Sabi ko sa kanila, matuto tayo dito. Hayun, sumunod sila sa game plan,” said De Jesus.
The Lady Spikers have five graduating teammates led by Reyes, Mika Esperanza, Carol Ann Cerveza, Galang and Demecillo.
But the efforts of the younger generation of Lady Spikers were in the minds of the seniors.
“I’m super happy with the championship. I promised the younger members of the team that we will win the championship this year,” said the 5’11” Reyes. “And we couldn’t have done it without their help.”
It was Dy who hit the championship point, ending two seasons of frustration for the Taft-based squad.
De Jesus is upbeat that with Dy playing a lead role, the Lady Spikers will remain a formidable squad.
