LA Salle was made to sweat before beating Far Eastern University, 29-27, 25-23, 25-23, on Sunday to start its title defense in the UAAP Season 79 women’s volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Majoy Baron took over for the Lady Spikers in the crucial stretches while former La Salle stars like Aby Marano, Mika Reyes, Ara Galang and Cyd Demecillo watched from the sidelines.
Kim Dy also delivered as the Lady Spikers beat the Tamaraws in three closely fought sets to serve notice of their desire to win the tournament for the second successive season.
Dy scored on a kill that pushed La Salle ahead, 23-22, before the Lady Spikers reached match point when Bernadeth Pons’ attack went wide. FEU survived one match point on a La Salle effor but a chance ball that failed to cross the net handed La Salle the win.
Baron and Dy led La Salle with 15 and 11 points respectively.
“Hindi mo na kasi pwedeng hanapin ‘yung kung anong meron last year eh. Kailangan mo nang pag tiyagaan kung ano ang meron ngayon,” said La Salle coach Ramil de Jesus.
Although La Salle needed only three sets to dispose of FEU, de Jesus said he expects the Lady Tamaraws, who defeated them in one game in last year’s semifinals, to get better.
“Mahaba pa naman to eh, ganito naman ito eh, ‘yung training program hindi pa buhos sa first game so doon mo lang ‘yan makikita sa second round. Aangat at didikit ang mga teams,” he said.
Bernadeth Pons had 12 points, eight digs and 12 excellent receptions for FEU.
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