ICYMI: Super rookie Leiah Malaluan and veteran spiker Jolina dela Cruz lead La Salle's thrilling five-set win over rival Ateneo as the Lady Spikers get within one win of a UAAP Final Four twice-to-beat advantage! UAAPSeason84
MANILA, Philippines – The La Salle Lady Spikers continued their strong run through the UAAP Season 84 as they inched closer to a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four off a five-set marathon against heated rival Ateneo Blue Eagles, 19-25, 25-18, 20-25, 25-22, 15-12, at the Mall of Asia Arena on Tuesday, June 7.
Jolina dela Cruz added 14 points with 15 excellent receptions while Thea Gagate scored 12 as La Salle rose to a 10-3 record. Although Nisperos and Takako Fujimoto saved two match points, the Lady Spikers’ gap was just too large to close up as Jyne Soreño ended the match with an off-the-block hit to send the defending champions down to a 7-6 slate.
Faith Nisperos, fresh off a career-high 31-point explosion in another five-set thriller against fifth-ranked Adamson, went down swinging against La Salle with 29 points off 27 attacks. Middle blocker Erika Raagas notched a season-high 17 points, while Vanie Gandler chipped in 10.