La Salle sweeps FEU for UAAP women's volleyball 3-peat

MANILA, Philippines — De La Salle University leaned on its championship experience to dispatch Far Eastern University in three sets, 26-24, 25-20, 26-24, and win their third straight UAAP 80 women’s volleyball title Wednesday at the Big Dome.

The Lady Spikers weathered a gritty stand by the Lady Tamaraws in the opening salvo. But come the second set, they went out with guns blazing breezing past their foes.

The third set, to the delight of 14,018 spectators, packed the most fireworks. FEU's Jerrili Malabanan flashined her fiery form to keep the game within reach.

The Lady Tamaraws managed to knot it at 24, but Kim Dy came through in the clutch to keep the De La Salle's bid for a sweep of the best-of-three finals intact.

Lady Spikers' Desiree Cheng reacts to a point scored against the Lady Tamaraws in Game 2 of the UAAP women's volleyball finals at the Big Dome on Wednesday. 

Tin Tiamzon and Dawn Macandili also figured in that third-set assault that sealed the deal for the Taft-based squad.

Macandili mounted yet another commendable performance with 21 digs. Dy, too, had quite the swan song with 18 points, 15 attacks, two blocks and an ace.

De La Salle's hattrick gives the university its third Grand Slam in UAAP history and 11th title. They have been latched atop the skirmishes for seven times in their last 10 campaigns.

Tiamzon (right) and Macandili hug it out after a well-executed play in Set 3. The victory translated to the 11th hardware for the Taft-based squad in tournament history.