A pair of steady hands in Ernestine Tiamzon and Kim Dy in the fourth and fifth sets powered the La Salle Lady Spikers to their 11th women’s crown last Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum.
Their frontline plays propelled the Lady Spikers to a 19-25, 25-14, 18-25, 25-18, 15-10 verdict over the Ateneo Lady Eagles in Game 2.
The Lady Spikers, with Dy leading with 19 points and, and Tiamzon adding 16, went on to win their second straight championship in the 79th University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) volleyball tournament.
When Ateneo took the third set, 25-18, the Lady Spikers fought their way to an 11-all deadlock in the fourth set.
Dy handed them their last tie when scored on a hit from the left side off a pair of blockers in Kat Tolentino and Isabel de Leon.
They were safely ahead, 17-12, off Cheng’s kills and Baron’s placement shot off Michelle Morente.
They then took a 15-11 edge behind Tiamzon’s ace and a block from Mary Joy Baron and Desiree Cheng, the finals MVP.
“Ni-remind sa amin ni coach na wag ganun ang laro namin. Kailangan maging consistent. Angkinin na namin ang laro para wala nang Game 3,” said the 21-year old Dy.
La Salle earlier took Game 1 with a 21-25, 29-27, 25-22, 25-20, result.
In the final set, Baron and Tiamzon combined for a 6-1 run that gave them the upperhand. Defensive plays from Dy and Cheng allowed La Salle stay ahead, 10-4.
Ateneo gave them a scare after a reception error by La Salle allowed the Lady Eagles to threaten, 8-10.
Then, spikes from Cheng and Tiamzon gave La Salle an opportunity to move away, 12-8.
For Lady Spikers coach Ramil de Jesus, this is his most challenging title conquest so far.
He felt that this year’s lineup did not show the kind of chemistry that he was looking before the start of the season.
“I’m happy. Sobrang mababaw pa ang team (during the start), at wala akong makuha,” said de Jesus.
De Jesus said this is his 10th crown for La Salle, and on his 20th year with the team.
What makes this special, according to de Jesus, is that the team was able to prove itself after they went beyond his expectations.