Lady Spikers book fresh start with slump-ending win vs UE

MANILA, Philippines – The DLSU Lady Spikers losing a game is unlikely, but absorbing back-to-back losses? That's unfamiliar territory.

After being dealt their first losing streak since Season 77 of the UAAP women’s basketball tournament, the defending champions suddenly looked vulnerable.

It was the UP Lady Maroons who gave the three-peat champions their first taste of defeat of the season, in a back-and-forth five-set thriller. Then it was the UST Golden Tigresses — then missing the services of Milena Alessandrini due to injury — who stunned the Lady Spikers with a quick three-set victory.

Reflecting on their sweep loss, Lady Spiker Tine Tiamzon knows there is no use in dwelling in the negative.

"Alam namin na lahat kami may pagkukulang sa game na yun," Tiamzon said.

"The next day sabi ni Coach kalimutan na lahat, focus tayo sa game natin sa UE then start tayo from there," she added.

The Lady Spikers came out determined and notched a much-needed win after sweeping the struggling UE Lady Warriors, 25-18, 25-20, 25-18.

"Good for us na nanalo kami," Marrione Alba, who played a key role in the win against UE, said.

"Pero hindi po kami pwedeng magsettle sa performance namin ngayon kasi may kaya pa po kaming ilabas," she said.

"That wasn't our A game but we're getting there. It's a process and the season still has a long way to go," Tiamzon said.

DLSU is set for a finals rematch against the FEU Lady Tamaraws on Saturday, March 16.