DLSU Lady Archers win UAAP Volleyball 'chip, UST Growling Tigers still champs

The UST Growling Tigers celebrating their win over FEU Tamaraws
in Game 2 of the UAAP Volleyball Finals.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

Game 1 of the UAAP 73 Volleyball Finals was just the tip of the iceberg for both the UST Growling Tigers and DLSU Lady Archers. The FEU Tamaraws and UST Tigresses are looking to climb back from their loss and perhaps force a rubber match for this season's championship series. Somehow the Tigresses managed to take the Lady Archers to 5-sets but it didn't go that direction for the FEU Tamaraws on the latter. With the UST Growling Tigers and La Salle Lady Archers having the advantage, these two teams look to complete the season with a title win.

The first set had both UST and FEU getting into long rallies -- as expected in championship match. In this particular set however, the Tamaraws was close to getting 1-0 advantage but UST showed them why they are the defending champs. The Growling Tigers took set number 1. By far the longest set played in the finals.

We got four!!!
(Photo by Roy Afable)

The Tamaraws got the early lead in the second. UST came back to stop FEU's momentum and took control of the game. Long rallies yet again for both teams but didn't extend like in set number 1. Again, the defending champs claimed the 2-0 advantage over the Tamaraws.

UST's Jayson Ramos won the UAAP Finals MVP trophy.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

It was pretty much the same thing in the 3rd set. FEU would have a huge leade in the set but would falter down the stretch upon UST's comeback. The Tamaraws would once again try to keep the game close but no cigar. The UST Growling Tigers would pull away and complete a 3-0 over FEU to retain their UAAP Volleyball crown.

UST's Jayson Ramos was named Shakey's Best Player of the Game and Finals MVP racking up 11 points and 3 service aces.

UST -- 3 FEU -- 0

29-27, 26-24, 25-23

Lady Archers rule!!!
(Photo by Roy Afable)

With the male counterparts of the UST Tigresses successfully defended their title, they aim to win game 2 and force a Game 3 to stay in contention. UST Coach Shaq Delos Santos has somehow figured out how to break the La Salle defense. He also spoke about losing one of their key players in Game 1, "Siguro yung pinaka magandang nangyari that time yung service namin naging consistent. Then at the same time, gumanda na rin yung defense at blocking ng mga players. Medyo na-short lang nung 5th set kasi nga nawala yung isang player namin na si (Maru) Banaticla na alam natin napakalaking natitulong sa team."

Despite losing the first game of the series, the defending champs were in high spirits. "Nakita ko naman sa mga bata na ok naman sila ngayon. Nasabi natin sa mga bata na kaya nga ginawang best of 3 yan kasi hindi yan natatapos sa Game 1. So, patunayan natin sa kanila na hindi natin basta ibibigay sa kanila ng ganon-ganon lang at kailangan natin i-prove sa kanila na tayo yung champion," explains Coach Shaq.

We're number 1!!!
(Photo by Roy Afable)

The Tigresses' Coach did stress however that playing consistently, less errors and a fighting spirit are the keys for them in winning Game 2, "Minimal lang yung errors tapos kung hindi namin makukuha sa block o atake, kailangan mag-isip sa lahat ng ginagawa. At kailangan wag mag-give up especially pag may crucial leads at mahahaba ang rallies -- so kailangan, laban kung laban."

Speaking of UST's Maru Banaticla, she agreed with her coach of the adjustment they made in Game 1 especially in sets 3 and 4, "Siguro mas nag-focus yung team and teamwork lang talaga yung nangyari nung 3rd and 4th sets."

The UAAP Season 73 Women's Volleyball Champs The DLSU Lady Archers/Spikers.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

After coming down with an injury in the first game, she knows that her team needs her and she's ready to play in Game 2, "Hindi ako makakapromise na maglaro ng 100 percent pero I will do my best."

True to her word, she's back in the lineup for the Tigresses.

The packed Fil-Oil Arena in San Juan is somewhat painted with green and yellow. Green represents the Lady Archers while yellow is for the Tigresses. The atmosphere inside the Arena is just amazing.

The Big Three: DLSU's Michelle Gumabao (Best Blocker), Jacq Alarca (UAAP 73 Women's Volleyball Season MVP) and Mika Esperanza (UAAP 73 Women's Volleyball Rookie of the Year)
(Photo courtesy of Ricky Castillo)

The Lady Archers were off to a good start in the first set. It seems as though they wanted this game over with asap. UST of course didn't let up as they stuck by their game plan kept up with La Salle in the process. Soon enough, the Lady Archers pulled away and took set number 1.

In the second set, it seemed as though the Tigresses were struggling with their plays. The veteran Team Captain Aiza Maizo and Maru Banaticla were the ones carrying the load for the team. Despite it all, DLSU came on top to take the 2-0 advantage over UST.

It's do or die no for defending champs in the third set. Their backs are against the wall and have to win a set to avoid getting swept by La Salle. Coach Shaq knows he needed to pull something out of the box to stop their rivals once again. Graduating players Jacq Alarca and Stephanie Mercado of La Salle were simple dead set on winning the most coveted prize in UAAP Volleyball.

DLSU Lady Archers Coach Ramil De Jesus can breathe a sigh of relief and he's all smiles.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

Right off the bat, it was a long rally for both these teams. UST played with tremendous heart. The long rallies went on for about half an hour. In the end, the Tigresses came up short yet again as DLSU completed their 3-0 sweep on the former champions and claim the UAAP 73 Volleyball Championship.

UST's Aiza Maiza, whom have played her last game in a Tigresses jersey finished with 7 points while her teammate Maru Banaticla had 8 points.

The Shakey's Best Player of the Game was DLSU's Stephanie Mercado wrapping up her UAAP stint with 6 points. Jacq Alarca also finished with 11 points.

Cha Cruz of La Salle was named the UAAP Volleyball Finals MVP. She scored 14 points and 4 blocks.

The UAAP 73 MVP Jacq Alarca shared her thoughts on what improvements they did for Game 2 and clinch the title, "Yung weakness namin kasi serve/receive. So, yung last 2 trainings namin nag-focus talaga kami sa serve/receive. Medyo nag-improve naman kaya eto, nakuha namin yung championship."

Well she's very glad the game didn't go down 5 sets like Game 1. Of course, that would've been a nerve racking situation for them even though they were somewhat expecting it, "Medyo kinabahan pero we gave our best naman eh. As in, hangga't maari 3 sets lang eh so, para masmasarap yung feeling namin."

After having played her final game in the UAAP, the team finishing with a great record, a championship and a season MVP hardware to boot, she's overwhelmed with her team's successful run, " Sobrang saya! Kasi last year na namin. Maganda yung exit namin at marami nakuhang awards and ayun sobrang saya!"

DLSU -- 3 UST -- 0

25-18, 25-17, 28-26


Speaking of awards, here's the complete list of individual awards and final rankings for the UAAP 73 Volleyball:

Men's Division

Champion:

University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers

1st Runner-Up:

Far Eastern University Tamaraws

2nd Runner-Up:

University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons

4. De La Salle University Green Archers

5. Adamson University Soaring Falcons

6. Ateneo De Manila University Blue Eagles

7. National University Bulldogs

8. University of the East Red Warriors



Special Awards

Best Scorer:

John Paul Torres, UST

Best Spiker:

John Paul Torres, UST

Best Blocker:

Nino Jeruz, AdU

Best Server:

Pitrus Paolo De Ocampo, FEU

Best Digger:

Gilbert Longavela, AdU

Best Setter:

Pitrus Paolo De Ocampo, FEU

Best Receiver:

Paul Jan Doloiras, UST

Rookie of the Year:

Peter Den Mar Torres, NU

Season MVP:

John Paul Torres, UST

Finals MVP:

Jayson Ramos, UST




Women's Division
Champion:

De La Salle University Lady Archers/Spikers

1st Runner-Up:

University of Santo Tomas Tigresses

2nd Runner-Up:

Adamson University Lady Falcons

4. Ateneo De Manila University Lady Eagles

5. National University Lady Bulldogs

6. Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws

7. University of the Philippines Fighting Lady Maroons

8. University of the East Lady Red Warriors


Special Awards

Best Scorer:

Aiza Maizo, UST

Best Spiker:

Jacqueline Alarca, DLSU

Best Blocker:

Michelle Gumabao, DLSU

Best Server:

Jacqueline Alarca, DLSU

Best Digger:

Jennelyn Reyes, NU

Best Setter:

Jamenea Ferrer, ADMU

Best Receiver:

Aiza Maizo, UST

Rookie of the Year:

Maria Mikaela Esperanza, DLSU

Season MVP:

Jacqueline Alarca, DLSU

Finals MVP:

Charleen Abigaile Cruz, DLSU