DE LA SALLE displayed tremendous composure to beat Far Eastern University, 26-24, 25-20, 26-24, and cement its status as the best UAAP women’s volleyball squad in the modern era last night before a 14,018-strong crowd at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Lady Spikers ended the season with 11 straight wins, overcoming early season problems to be at the pedestal once more.
“Every practice, sinasabi ko sa kanila, all-out tayo,” said De La Salle mentor Ramil De Jesus.
Kim Kianna Dy finished her UAAP career with 19 points, including two blocks, while Majoy Baron and Aduke Ogunsanya each scored 10 points for the Lady Spikers, who in the process completed a three-peat.
Libero Dawn Macandili, one of the best in Asia, was named the Finals MVP after collecting 21 digs and eight excellent receptions in the title-clincher.
The third winningest program with 11 crowns, De La Salle swept the best-of-three series, 2-0, as it duplicated the feat of the equally successful 2003-05 and 2010-12 teams.
“Well, hindi ko na talaga binibilang iyon,” De Jesus told ABS-CBN S+A at the height of the celebration on the court.
The newly-minted national team coach, De Jesus is just all-business to make the school a force to reckon with.
Earlier, National University denied five-time MVP Marck Espejo a grand exit as it wrested the men’s crown from Ateneo with a 25-20, 31-29, 22-25, 33-31 win.
The Lady Spikers found a much tougher Lady Tamaraws’ side in Game 2.
After putting De La Salle at set point with a kill, Dy’s block on Ced Domingo completed the comeback from a 21-24 hole and helped her team escape the opening frame.
Michelle Cobb’s ace put the Lady Spikers at championship point but the Lady Tamaraws saved four set points, with Jerrili Malabanan’s off-the-block kill tying the game at 24-24.
La Salle never flinched under pressure, as Dy’s go-ahead drop and Tin Tiamzon’s spike gave the Taft-based squad another crown to celebrate.
“FEU did not totally gave up,” said De Jesus, who now has 260 collegiate wins.