Five days after getting swamped by the fancied Santo Tomas Tigresses in a 16-25, 20-25, 25-22, 17-25 loss, the Taft-based belles unleashed their power game and dominated the first two sets, slowed down in the third but recovered their form and bearing in the fourth set to finish off the stubborn Lady Tams.
"Medyo nag-relax sa third set kasi kala ng mga bata tapos na ang laban," said La Salle coach Ramil de Jesus.
Led by 2003 UAAP MVP Desiree Hernandez, the Lady Archers switched to attack mode early as they bombarded the Lady Tams with a flurry of kills to seize the first two sets with relative ease.
With a comfortable 2-0 lead, La Salle, which has been drawing crowds not just with its talent and skills but also of a bevy of comely players, celebrated early and almost paid dearly for it.
Spiking Ruby May Rovira’s powerful smashes with superb court coverage and net defense, the Morayta-based belles rallied from 12-14 down by seizing 13 of the last 18 points to take the third set that kept them alive.
With FEU skipper Rovira spewing a barrage of kills again, the Lady Tams cut a 4-10 deficit to just 10-11 in the fourth set but it proved to be their last show of force as Hernandez, La Salle captain Maureen Penetrante, Carissa Gotis, Manilla Santos and Ivory Ablig returned fire at the net to seal the win. — Joey Villar