Foiled on its bid the last time out, La Salle dominated Letran like it used to, scoring a 25-23, 25-16, 25-17 victory yesterday and arranging a keenly-awaited rematch with University of Santo Tomas for the Shakey’s V-League second conference crown at Rizal Coliseum.
Michelle Carolino came away with an awesome game in a match they could not afford to lose, peppering the Lady Knights with 19 hits on her way to a 23-point performance to power the Lady Archers to the victory in their best-of-three series, 2-1.
Maureen Penetrante backed her up with 10 points while four others combined for 22 markers as La Salle redeemed itself from its five-set loss to Letran last Sunday that forced this do-or-die match for the second finals berth.
La Salle took Game One, 25-20, 25-16, 25-17.
UST, which beat La Salle to capture the inaugural tournament of this event sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza last year, clinched the first championship slot with a 2-0 sweep of guest team Philippine Sports Commission.
Game One of the best-of-three title series is set a 3:30 p.m. tomorrow after the 1:30 clash for third between PSC and Letran.
Letran drew 19 points from Cherry Rose Macatangay, but the rest failed to display the same form and resiliency they showed in coming from two sets down to steal a 14-25, 22-25, 25-19, 25-13, 15-11 victory that snapped a stirring 12-game run by La Salle Sunday.
Joan Botor-Carpio, Bangladesh Pantaleon and Dianne Diaz , who pooled 38 big points among themselves two days ago, could only come up with a combined 17-point effort yesterday, which told heavily on the Lady Knights’ upset bid in the tournament co-presented by Dunkin Donuts, HBC Home of Beauty Exclusives, Smart and PLDT with Mikasa and Accel as official volleyball and outfitter, respectively.