Lady Spikers share lead; Falcons prevail

MANILA, Philippines - De la Salle tied defending champion Ateneo at first place, even as Adamson finally barged into the win column yesterday in the UAAP Season 77 women’s volleyball tournament.

Ara Galang and Cyd Demecillo combined for 36 markers as the Lady Spikers hacked out a 25-23, 28-26, 25-17 win over University of Santo Tomas in front of a good-size crowd at The Arena in San Juan.

Mylene Paat had four blocks to finish with 13 points as the Lady Falcons tripped University of the East, 25-9, 25-15, 25-17, in the second game.

Demecillo bailed out La Salle, which trailed 12-17 in the second frame, with a set-clinching kill to give her team a 2-0 set advantage. 

Galang and Demecillo then joined forces in the third set with their key hits to lift the Lady Spikers to their third straight win and a share of the lead with the Lady Eagles.

Galang, a league MVP two seasons ago, had 16 attacks, three service aces and two blocks to finish with 21 points for La Salle.

Jessica Galanza continued her consistent play for Adamson, finishing with 11 points, including three service aces and two blocks but coach Sherwin Meneses wants the sophomore hitter to unleash something more on her game just like Sheila Pineda, who graduated last season.   

“One thing I would like to get from her game is defense and receiving. She has high-percentage attacks. She’s small, so I hope she improves in defense,” said Meneses.

Earlier, Adamson, behind Bryan Saraza’s 19 kills, downed University of the Philippines, 25-20, 20-25, 25-17, 25-20, for a 2-1 card in men’s play.

Greg Dolor had three blocks and two service aces for a 13-point effort as Far Eastern University nipped UE, 25-22, 23-25, 25-13, 16-25, 15-12, to barge to the win column after two straight losses.

Demecillo chipped in 15 points and nine digs for La Salle, which drew 23 excellent sets from playmaker Kim Fajardo.       

The Tigresses dropped to 1-1 to tie the Lady Tamaraws in third place.  

EJ Laure led UST with 12 points while skipper Pam Lastimosa chipped in seven  hits and four digs.

Shaya Adorador had seven points, while Judith Abil and Roselle Baliton added four hits apiece for the Lady Warriors.       

UE fell to 0-2 alongside idle University of the Philippines in last place.