La Salle dominates Ateneo to open UAAP 82 road to redemption

In front of a crowd of 12, 907, the rookie-laden De La Salle University survived defending champs Ateneo de Manila University to open their redemption campaign in women's volleyball, 25-17, 17-25, 25-17, 25-15, Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Taft-based squad dominated the Lady Eagles in the fourth set, leading as much as 20-7, enough to give La Salle the headway to take the game in their hands despite Ateneo's late rally.

La Salle made a 7-1 run midway to recover and take Set 3, 25-17. In the second set, after leading, 16-12, heading into the second technical timeout, the Katipunan-based squad turned the tables around and limited La Salle to just a point afterwards to take the set.

The Lady Spikers went hot early in the game, leading as much as 18-10, before settling at 25-17 to end the first set.

"Kita naman natin kahit bata 'yung players namin, medyo nakikita mo nawawala, pero siyempre nakakabalik din. Hindi madali 'yung pinagdadaanan namin this game, sabi ko basta tiwala lang," DLSU head coach Ramil de Jesus said in the post-game conference.

Tin Tiamzon led the green and white squad with 17 points, while Jolina dela Cruz and rookie Thea Gagata chipped in 13 and 10 points each.

Rookie Faith Nisperos notched 13 points, the only player to score in double digits for the Lady Eagles.

Meanwhile, in the men's division, Ateneo swept La Salle to notch their first win, 25-20, 25-19, 27-25.

"I’m just happy that everyone performed well today so coming from a tough loss against UP. I was very happy that my players stood up to the call na kailangan makabawi this game," Ateneo head coach Timothy Sto. Tomas said.

Chumason Njigha listed 20 markers on 18 attack points to lead the Blue Eagles. JM Ronquillo, meanwhile, posted 11 for the green and white.

The Ateneo teams will see action again on Wednesday against UE, while La Salle squads will play UP on Tuesday. — DVM, GMA News