DLSU spikers aim for sweep vs Tigresses

MANILA, Philippines - After taking the opener, De La Salle University looks to finish off University of Santo Tomas and wrest the UAAP Season 73 women’s volleyball title today in Game 2 at the Arena.

The Lady Archers hope to build momentum from their 25-18, 25-20, 19-25, 16-25, 15-10 verdict over an undermanned Tigresses side to reclaim the tiara that they last held two years ago.

“ Hangga’t may problema ang UST, samantalahin na namin ito (We’ll exploit on UST’s manpower problems to beat them),” said DLSU coach Ramil de Jesus whose wards capitalized on the absence of UST’s injured open hitter Maruja Banaticla in the deciding set to escape with the five-set Game 1 win.

“We’ll have to make certain adjustments in Game 2, especially in blocking,” added de Jesus, who will bank on the stints of graduating players Stephanie Mercado and Jacq Alarca in trying to win DLSU’s sixth title overall.

Banaticla led the Tigresses’ fightback in the third and fourth sets of Game 1 but was forced to skip the closing stages of the fourth and the entire fifth due to cramps on both legs. She might be back in harness as the Tigresses seek to force a rubber match, though.

“We will go all out and give it our best. It’s not yet over,” UST mentor Shaq delos Santos vowed going to the 4 p.m. duel.

UST’s men’s team, meanwhile, guns for a “four-peat” when the Tigers take on Far Eastern U in Game 2 of their own series at 2 p.m.

The Tigers drew first blood against the Tams, 20-25, 25-23, 25-23, 25-23, to move closer to their fourth straight men’s diadem and 18th overall.