DLSU Lady Spikers clinch back-to-back Volleyball titles

Two for the champs.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

It was a rough ride for the defending champs during the Finals. After their successful 14-0 sweep in the elimination rounds, they've earned the 1-0 advantage in the Finals and thus crossed paths with their rivals Ateneo to challenge for their championship hardware. Sure, Ateneo has won countless titles in basketball but in volleyball however, it has eluded them for many years.

In game 1 of the Finals, many expected La Salle to easily notch another win to extend their streak. The 1 game lead over the challengers may be huge for the chamos but that may have been the only thing that put them under pressure.

Then the unexpected happened.

If y'all remember what they did in their last match in the elims, the Lady Eagles literally gave the Lady Archers a run for their money. The game went to 5 sets but somehow, La Salle escaped the upset.

Ateneo took the same plays from that particular game and took it up a notch in game 1. They pulled an upset on the champs -- the streak was finally broken. It was fitting that Ateneo were the ones to end it.

I made a prediction/analysis of sorts on how both teams can outduel each other -- one for Ateneo and the other for La Salle.

I was shocked that everything I predicted came true in game 1. Even the La Salle fans were up and arms of what happened. Quite a shocker indeed.

It was the type of game that gave the challengers in beating the champs for game 2. It also tested the mental toughness of La Salle in the process. La Salle coach Ramil de Jesus knew he had to make some changes with his strategies.

Game 2 seemed like a repeat performance of the Lady Eagles but knowing coach Ramil of La Salle, he had something under his sleeve.

At first, many were surprised that season MVP Abby Marano sat out most of the third set. It paved way for the La Salle bench to contribute. It got real close but when the defending champs were finally making big plays, Marano came back into the fold and finished the set thus giving La Salle the 2-1 advantage in the game.

What many believed that Ateneo had La Salle on the ropes, the momentum has shifted to the ladies in green.

Now, it was up to Ateneo coach Roger Gorayeb to roll up his sleeves and draw up some plays to get an equalizer and stay in the game. The adjustments were crucial for the Lady Eagles.

With renewed confidence, the Lady Archers were pretty much in the zone. Everything the Lady Eagles threw at them didn't work. Michelle Gumabao got it going as she was scoring everywhere for La Salle.

La Salle established a huge lead enough for them to pull away for the win in Game 2 and potentially seal the deal in Game 3.

Game 3 was very critical for Ateneo. It was a make or break kind of thing for them. A must win situation no less.

For La Salle however, an extended series wasn't an option and everything was on the line.

As the game began, the Lady Eagles seemed like they had it all under control. Suddenly, the defending champs made their presence felt. The struggles they had with their plays in games 1 and 2 were executed well. Not even the Ateneo defense couldn't do a thing about it.

La Salle won the first set. It was a sign that the defending champs weren't fazed at all with shocker Ateneo pulled on them.

Set number 2 was on. It was now Ateneo's turn to score an equalizer and halt La Salle's momentum. Rookie Alyssa Valdez was a scoring machine for the Lady Eagles. Nevermind that La Salle had every answer to her attacks, she still kept it going.

Gretchen Ho, one of the best blockers in the UAAP and a scorer for Ateneo was completely shut down. Dzi Gervacio and Ai Nacachi made key contributions for the Lady Eagles especially on defense. Team captain Fille Cainglet set the tone for their offense.

There's no doubt that the Lady Eagles have what it takes to win it all but the intensity started going down.

For one Fille Cainglet, it all seemed like her desire and fire in her eyes were slowly getting extinguished. Right in the middle of the second set, she's normally a fired up gal especially after their timeouts.

Whether or not the fans noticed in attendance noticed it but it wasn't the same Fille Cainglet that came to play and win a championship.

Whatever it was that's keeping the challengers to bring out the fight in them, La Salle took advantage and won the second set.

Set 3 wasn't much of a difference as the green demolition job on the Lady Eagles continued. Ateneo's Valdez and Gervacio were the only players trying to keep up with the defending champs.

It all came down to which team wanted to win the championship more. La Salle kept quite a sizeable lead and Ateneo's offense and defense was slowly falling apart.

In the end, the defending came through once again and finished the job in game 3. It was a officially a 2-peat for La Salle.

La Salle team captain Cha Cruz completed her storied UAAP volleyball career when she was named the Finals MVP for the second time.

It was fitting for Cruz to walk away from the game she loved with back-to-back UAAP Volleyball titles and Finals MVP honors.

Hats off to the Ateneo Lady Eagles for making it to the Finals and giving their rivals a championship series they'll never forget. Even the fans from both schools were just as supportive had a blast as well. It was one heck of a Finals indeed.

Now that the UAAP 74 Volleyball season is officially over, will we see new champion for season 75?

We'll all have to wait and see.