What was expected to be a cakewalk turned out to be a character test for the Lady Spikers.
Behind May Luna’s career-high 14 points, the defending champions outlast the young but gritty NU squad in 4 gruelling sets 25-10, 20-25, 27-25, 25-22 Wednesday to stay unbeaten in the season.
Aduke Ogunsanya added 13 markers while Des Cheng and Jolina Dela Cruz each added 12. Transferee Lourdes Clemente came up big down the stretch to finish with 5 points.
May Luna (14 PTS) and Aduke Ogunsanya (13 PTS) drop career-highs to help La Salle fight off NU! #UAAPSeason81Volleyball pic.twitter.com/fdfqKJKLhq
— ABS-CBN Sports (@abscbnsports) February 27, 2019
The Lady Bulldogs, with only 3 holdovers from last year’s team was led by rookie Princess Robles who topscored with 18 points.
After an easy Set 1 win, the Lady Spikers were plagued with errors for the rest of the match that allowed NU to take the next set and threatened to pull off a stunning upset.
Despite the win, Head Coach Ramil De Jesus was not satisfied with her team’s performance particularly on the many service and unforced errors. After the matcj, he his players proceed back to the school for an evening training.
Coach Ramil says it was the Lady Spikers' uncharacteristic performance from the service line that gave NU confidence to fight back. #UAAPSeason81Volleyball | @the9cruz pic.twitter.com/1z0qKiaZN7
— ABS-CBN Sports (@abscbnsports) February 27, 2019
“Sa player ko na yun eh. Sabi ko sa kanila, ‘pag ganoong pagkakamali, lalo na sa service, kayo na yun. Hindi na pwedeng isisi pa sa kalaban yun. Kayo yun, kayo yung lumabas sa service area, kayo magse-serve, lahat yun kayo gagawa,” said De Jesus.
“Kung mali yun, tayo ang may mali, hindi yung kalaban. So doon ako medyo na-frustrate. Ikaw na yan eh. Parang sa basketball, free throw yan, araw-araw mong ginagawa mo yan. Kung ma-shoot mo, eh ‘di okay. Eh ang nangyari, kapos, hindi man lang tumama ng ring,”
The Lady Spikers look to extend its unblemished record this coming Saturday against UP.