Lady Tigresses Took Game 1 of Best of Three Finals

It boils down to the finals. Defending champions De La Salle goes up against the lady tigresses for game 1 of the best of 3 for Season 72 of UAAP women's volleyball.

The lady tigresses led the set early on but the lady archers managed to catch up after a series of exchange hits from both teams. A very close first set, the lady archers were able to get the first set, 26-24.

On the second set, the lady archers still used Garbin as their setter, while on the otherside, veteran libero Curato started to play. Long rallies, power hits, quick sets between both teams were exchanged. The lady tigresses took the second set, 25-23.

It was a different 3rd set as the lady tigresses started to pull away early on the set. On this set, there were lots of loose balls, errors, service aces and smart plays from both teams. But the lady tigresses capitalized over the lady archers on this set, 25-16.

At the 4th set, it was still a slow start for the lady archers as the lady tigresses capitalized on the archer's errors. The set was close until the 20th point. There was a slight contention of Siy commiting net error on the 20th point. The lady tigresses took the set and game 1, 25-21.

This has been the only game between both teams wherein it lasted only 4 sets. Their first meeting, DLSU won, the second, UST won, both a thrilling 5 set.

Each team has their own "statements," green hair streaks and arm bands for the lady archers, braided hairs and colorful shoe laces for the lady tigresses.

Lady Bulldogs get their First Win over Lady Red Warriors, Lady Tigresses won over the Lady Archers

All is not lost for the lady bulldogs. It may be their last game, but definitely not impossible to win a game. The lady bulldogs may have been winless the entire season, but they had their moment when they won against the lady red warriors, today at the Arena in San Juan City.

During their first meeting, the game was extended to 5 sets wherein the lady red warriors won. The lady bulldogs, under their new coach Dante Alinsunurin, trained, practiced hard and took each of their games as opportunities to learn, grow and improve. On their last game, the lady bulldogs won over the lady red warriors in straight sets 3-0.

The lady red warriors almost stole the 3rd set but the crowd favorite, Mervic Mangui and the rest of the lady bulldogs held tight on their defense to claim their first win on their last game of the season.

In the main event, the lady tigresses won over the defending champions the lady archers. Both of their meetings extended in 5 sets, the first won by the lady archers, the second, by the lady tigresses. Both teams showed their championship form and experience as they outwitted and showed power on the court.

The only team to beat the lady archers, the lady tigresses' win still placed them 2nd in the rankings. Both of them gained the twice to beat advantage when they play against the lady eagles and lady falcons, 3rd and 4th placer, respectively, in the top four.

The score in favor of the lady tigresses, 23-25, 25-20, 26-28, 25-16 and 15-12.

Author's note: I would like to stress both team's sportsmanship. Maybe it was not shown on television, but when Ateneo won against Adamson yesterday, I saw Paulina Soriano of the lady falcons extended her joy, delight and camaraderie with the lady eagles with a hug.

Likewise with the tigresses and the archers, its purely sport and despite their efforts to win as part of school pride and prestige, both still remains to be friends with each other.

UAAP Women's Volleyball DLSU vs UE February 10, 2010

The lady spikers previously won over the lady red warriors during their first match last December, 2009. Coming in the second round match, both teams are prepared for today's game.

The lady spikers started out strong in the first set as they scored on their offense as well as on the errors from the red warriors as they took the set 25-10.

The second set was the same as the lady spikers took an early lead in reaching both technical timeouts. Their reserve player Yeung was given playing time. Score board closed at 25-14 in favor or the lady spikers.

For the third set, UE's defense has improved as they maintained a close set against the lady spikers. Martinez returned at the latter part of the set to continue setting job. The lady spikers took the set, 25-20.

Player of the game: Jacqueline Alarca - 12 points 6 attacks, 4 blocks, 2 service aces

Coach Ramil de Jesus was also interviewed on what to be expected on their last game against UST.

UAAP Women's Volleyball UST vs FEU February 7, 2010

The rivalry is rekindled as the lady tigers meet the lady tamaraws for the second round of the Season 72 UAAP women's volleyball.

The team with the most UAAP women's volleyball title at 29, The lady tamaraws is working hard to make it to the final 4 slot. Second of which, UST, is secured on the 2nd spot of the current season standings if they maintain their performance.

Coming from a defeat against the lady eagles, the lady tamaraws are really preparing for their remaining games. UST on the other hand, coming from a win, though at Santiago's cost, will also show their all time rivals a very good game.

The lady tigers slowly pulled away on the 1st set capitalizing on the lady tam's errors (both teams got 6 unforced errors) on the serve and block points. The lady tams made short run in the middle of the set but the lady tigers took the 1st, 25-17. Filling the slot of Shaira Gonzalez is Custodio.

The second set was a casualty for the lady tams as Custodio had an unfortunate accident when she landed on setter Dimaculangan's foot after her jump. She was replaced by #8 Penaranda. Vivas, the ever reliable player, received applause for her performance, as the lady tams took the lead coming in to the second technical timeout. Setter April Jose, for a time, skipped as a setter for this set as Remigio took responsibility. The lady tigers won the set, 25-19.

Seeing action for the 3rd set is Dindin Santiago who just came from a sprained injury against the lady bulldogs. It was a close set on the early part of the game, but after a series of long rallies and great play, the lady tigers were able to slowly pull away and reaching the 2nd technical timeout and eventually the set 25-22.

Player of the game: Angeli Tabaquero: 15 points. 13 from attack points and 2 blocks.

UAAP Women's Volleyball DLSU vs NU February 7, 2010

The unbeaten team, DLSU goes up against the winless team, NU. The lady spikers won straight sets against this team during their first meeting in January.

The lady bulldogs kept their distance during the 1st set upon reaching the 1st technical timeout. But the lady spikers pulled away taking the 1st set, 25-15.

On the second set the lady bulldogs took advantage of the lady spiker's errors (in receiving, services and attacks) as they reached the 2 technical time outs first and the set, 25-19. Notable performance came from Bayron of the lady bulldogs.

The third set was a complete turn around as the lady spikers raced ahead against the lady bulldogs and took the set 25-15. There were errors committed by the lady bulldogs, total of 14, against the lady spikers. Regular setter for DLSU, Martinez, was not continuously seen for this set and was replaced by #9 Garbin.

It was a close game come the fourth set between both squads until the 10th point. The lady archers pulled away via the lady bulldog's errors, 25-13 and giving them their 12th unblemished tournament record.

Player of the game: Charleen Cruz, 14 points, 11 from attack points, 1 block and 2 service aces.

Brief Report for Today's Game

Since I was mobile around 3 p.m., I was able to watch the game on my laptop past 3 this afternoon to witness the 2nd round game between the UE Red Warriors and the Ateneo Lady Eagles and briefly, the main game between the Adamson Lady Falcons and the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.

It was already the 3rd set, at the 8 point of the 1st game wherein it was a very close match between UE and ADMU. The lady eagles won the match in 3 straight set victory. But seeing the score during the 2nd set, it was 27-25 in favor of the lady eagles. Gee, it must have been a very intense game.

While on the main game, I was only able to watch the 1st set between AdU and UP. UP won the first set. There has been a lot of improvement noted on UP's play, considering the they were able to steal a set from a very defense oriented team, the lady falcons.

As I say a while ago, I was mobile and wasn't able to watch the whole game. Checking the last video, the AdU was on top against UP.

UAAP Women's Volleyball UST vs NU February 3, 2010

Coming into this game the National University Lady bulldogs is still looking for the elusive win in this season while UST are looking for their 10th win at the start of the match.

Very early on the game Dindin Santiago had a minor injury when she accidentally stepped on Mervic Mangui's foot which crossed over UST's court after an attack. Santiago had to be pulled out and replaced by Mance. Getting only a minor sprain, hopefully Santiago will be back for the remaining all-important games by the lady tigresses.

The first set was almost taken by the lady bulldogs but won over by UST, 27-25. The lady tigresses showed its winning form as they took the 2nd and 3rd set, 25-12 and 25-14, respectively.

Dimaculangan and Maizo came late as they have prior school commitments giving way to other young players.

On the other side, Mangui still proves to be NU's key player as she made most of the points. Simon came late, joining on the 3rd set already. Libero Reyes generally showed excellent skills in floor defense for the lady bulldogs.

Player of the game: Angeli Tabaquero collecting 23 points with 18 from the attacks, 4 on blocks and a service ace

This win secured the lady tigresses on second seat 10-2 win loss card just behind the DLSU lady spikers.

UAAP Women's Volleyball ADMU vs UP February 3, 2010

The "Battle of Katipunan" as it is often dubbed when these 2 schools meet, the Ateneo Lady Eagles and UP Fighting Maroons.

The Lady Eagles won the game in straight sets: 25-17, 25-14 and 25-21. Reaching the 3rd set, UP fighting maroon's performance improved resulting to a very close set that UP even had a chance to lead to even took the set. However, the Lady Eagles, being a solid team as they are, closed the 3rd set and took the match.

With this win, ADMU now has an 8-4 win-loss card grabbing solo 3rd seat amongst the pack while UP is at 4-8.

Player of the game is Bea Pascual: 15 attacks, 13 from attack points, 1 block and 1 service ace.

UAAP Women's Volleyball DLSU vs ADMU January 23, 2010

The De La Salle University Lady Archers showed again its supremacy over the volleyball court as they won over the Ateneo Lady Eagles, 25-15, 25-20, 21-25, 25-21 during their second round meet for the Season 72 of the UAAP Women's Volleyball Tournament held at the Arena, in San Juan City.

The Lady Archers capitalized on their best asset as they won points over the block against the Lady Eagles. Their tall players headed by Alarca, Marano and Siy, did their share on blocks while veteran Mercado and Cruz also contributed points on the attack.

On the other hand, the Ateneo Lady Eagles' performance improved on the latter part of the second set that almost took the 2nd set. Their perseverance was rewarded as they took the 3rd set from the Lady Archers. Notable of Ateneo's game is their middle-quick attacks that sometimes caught the defense of the Lady Archers off guard.

Over all, the Lady Eagle's weakness was their reception as plays were not played perfectly due to reception errors. The Lady Archers apart from their strong blocking defense, made points from their open hitters.

The player of the game is Jacqueline Alarca with 16 points: 14 from the attacks and 2 blocks.