La Salle and UST sweep opponents in Day 21

UST's Valerie Amar (no. 18) tips the ball over UE's blockers.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

The National University Lady Bulldogs haven't been playing good volleyball lately. Their game against Ateneo about a couple of weeks ago didn't sit too well for them. With their toughest schedule in the tournament, getting a W on La Salle would mean a step closer to the Final Four -- or so they thought.

It's pretty much another day in the office for the La Salle Lady Archers. They've been steamrolling every single opponent they played. They easily snapped the Lady Tams streak last Wednesday and they look to do the same thing on the Lady Bulldogs. The Ladies in Green have been on a mission all season long.

The first set for the Lady Bulldogs was like scratching on a thick surface. They barely had it going offensively. They are not the same NU team that took UST to the limit last January 8. DLSU rolled past NU in set number 1.

Same result in the second set though. The Lady Archers didn't have problems taking a 2-0 lead over the Lady Bulldogs. NU's Ria Sante had a sub-par performance and so did her teammate Maricar Nepomuceno.

La Salle simply dominated NU in the process. The Lady Bulldogs late surge didn't help at all in the third and final set. It was yet again a 3 sets to nil win for the DLSU Lady Archers. Another lopsided loss to the Lady Bulldogs.

Michelle Gumabao of La Salle was named Shakey's Best Player of the Game. She finished with 10 points (5 blocks and 1 service ace).

DLSU -- 3 NU -- 0

25-12, 25-14, 25-17

Kite Rosale (no. 9) is celebrates with her UE teammates after scoring.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

The University of Santo Tomas Tigresses look to bounce back from their heartbreaking loss to the UP Fighting Lady Maroons a few weeks ago. A must win situation for UST if they want to remain 2nd seed in the UAAP Women's Volleyball Tournament.

Meanwhile, the University of the East Lady Warriors have yet to make a statement in the 2nd round. They haven't recovered from their loss to the Adamson Lady Falcons until now. Whatever it is that the Lady Warriors are missing, they better find it quick. Facing a team like UST won't be an easy one.

UE's Kite Rosale gets ready to serve.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

UE was off to a good start in the 1st set but UST wasn't about to let them build some momentum early in the game. The Tigresses' Aiza Maizo obviously came to play -- with back spasms and all -- was warming up with her attacks. Sure was no hesitation at all on her part. UST easily took set number 1.

The second set kind of woke up the Lady Warriors. Kite Rosale of UE wasn't much of a factor for her team though. Maria Teresa Caballero was the one doing most of the scoring for UE until Maika Ortiz and Maruja Banaticla of UST stopped their run. The Tigresses defense didn't allow the Lady Warriors to reach the 20-point mark as they secured the 2nd set victory.

The UST Tigresses do their traditional victory cheer.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

The Lady Warriors had still couldn't find what they are missing in the 3rd set -- whatever it is. Seems as though they already knew their fate right before facing the defending champs that day. They made another scoring run but the Tigresses were just too much to handle for them. USTs Midori Hirotsuji joined teammates Aiza Maizo and Maika Ortiz in the scoring party as she closed out the game with a clean sweep over NU 3 sets to nil.

Shakey's Player of the Game Maika Ortiz of UST gets some interview time.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

UST's Maika Ortiz got the Shakey's Best Player of the Game plum as she finished with 11 points (3 blocks) while her teammate Aiza Maizo had 13 points.

UST -- 3 UE -- 0

25-14, 25-18, 25-17


Men's Volleyball Results

1st Game:

FEU -- 3 AdU -- 0

25-14, 25-19, 25-23

2nd Game:

UST -- 3 Ateneo -- 0

25-8, 25-13, 25-22