MORE than the numbers in the stat sheet, Jolina dela Cruz’s presence was felt with her leadership on the court, leading La Salle’s fightback after National University threatened to take the series-opening win in the UAAP women’s volleyball Finals with a 2-1 set advantage.

The Lady Spikers eventually won, 18-25, 25-22, 22-25, 25-21, 15-13, Sunday night, keeping the Lady Bulldogs winless in three meetings this season.

“Siguro nung nakuha ng NU yung set one hindi kami nawalan ng pag-asa kasi alam namin na kaya namin eh and yun lang siguro yung hugot namin na first round and second round naipanalo namin yung game against them,” said Dela Cruz.

“Basta may hugot lang kami na hindi kami magpapatalo kahit down na kami ng isang set, dalawang set. Super grateful ako sa teammates ko na hindi mo sila makikitaan na nawawalan ng kumpyansa. Laban pa rin hanggang dulo,” she added.

Dela Cruz struggled in her spikes, going 3-of-26 but she made it up in other departments, contributing two of La Salle’s 16 blocks, logging a team-best 13 receptions and collecting eight digs.

Angel Canino and Thea Gagate topscored for the Lady Spikers with 21 and 17 points, respectively.

Moving on the cusp of 12th title, La Salle knows that it needs three more sets to finish the job in Game 2 set at 4 p.m. on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

“Siguro nilalagay na lang din sa isip namin na hindi pa tapos, Game 1 pa lang yung nakukuha namin and hindi namin siya ilalagay talaga sa ulo namin. Pagtatrabahuhan namin hanggang makuha namin yung Game 2,” said Dela Cruz.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Theodore P. Jurado