La Salle is 8-0, for now, in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament.
But the hard part begins for the Lady Spikers, who are waiting for the UAAP board decision this week regarding the consequences against their two reserve players who violated the league rules for allegedly playing in an invitational tournament.
Despite all the distractions, La Salle still played with a lot of heart to hammer out a 25-11, 25-23, 25-14 win over Adamson Sunday and stay unscathed.
Vastly-improved Michelle Gumabao continued her impressive showing with 14 hits, including three blocks, while Jacq Alarca had 12 points, highlighted by three service aces and two blocks for the league-leading Lady Archers, who were given a lot of love by their supporters who trooped the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
The league board will discuss on Wednesday on possible sanctions against La Salle regarding on the unauthorized participation of reserves Carmela Garbin and Clarisse Yeung in the Vikings Cup in World Citi Colleges.
Lady Archers mentor Ramil de Jesus is just hoping for the positive response from the UAAP board.
“Tatanggapin naming kung ano ang magiging desisyon ng liga,” said de Jesus, who won five titles for La Salle.
“Business as usual lang ang mga bata. Itong game kasi, dahil sa nangyari ay possible na magpapabagsak o magpapatibay sa team. Opposite naman ang nangyari at kumapit sila sa kabila ng nangyayari,” he added.
As a proof, when the Lady Falcons twice moved closer to a point late in the second frame, the last was at 23-24 via a Jenna Ortega hit, team captain Cha Cruz sealed the deal with a set-winning kill for the Lady Falcons.
Adamson slipped to 5-3 mark in third place behind defending champion University of Santo Tomas, which is currently in second with a 6-2 record.
Filling in the shoes of injured open spiker Mayette Zapanta, Ortega finished with 10 points, while Angela Benting had nine hits for the Lady Falcons.