LA SALLE recovered from a first set loss to top fabled rival Ateneo, 22-25, 25-23, 25-18, 25-20, for a winning start in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament last night at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Officially rebranded as the Blue Eagles yesterday, the three-time champions gained upperhand in the opener but lost steam as the Lady Spikers made major adjustments in attacking game in the next three sets to chalk up their first win.

Earlier, University of Santo Tomas and National University opened the season with a straight set victories to also set in motion their respective title bids.

The Tigresses swept Far Eastern University, 25-23, 25-20, 25-21, while the Lady Bulldogs came through with a 25-15, 25-23, 25-18 romp of Adamson.

Marionne Alba, one of La Salle’s holdovers from the 2019 roster, overcame early struggles in distributing plays, as Jolina dela Cruz, Thea Gagate and Baby Jyne Soreño, together with first-year players Alleiah Malaluan and Fifi Sharma, delivering the goods, and libero Justine Jazareno defending the ball well.

The energetic Soreño finished with 17 points, including three blocks, while Malaluan chipped 15 points, including two service aces, 15 digs and 11 receptions for the Lady Spikers.

Gagate and Sharma had 11 and 10 points, respectively, while Jazareno collected 25 digs and 15 receptions for La Salle.

Faith Nisperos took the scoring mantle for Ateneo with 24 points, including three aces and two blocks, rookie Lyann de Guzman added 11 markers, while libero Dani Ravena had 23 digs and 11 receptions.

Eya Laure came through with 14 points and nine digs while Camille Victoria added 12 points for UST.

Imee Hernandez sustained a left ankle injury in the first set and was still able to return in the third. The second year middle blocker still recorded two of the Tigresses’ four blocks.

With the opening day jitters behind, coach Kungfu Reyes knows that UST still has room for improvement.

“Medyo shaky yung performance namin though nanalo naman. Pero yun nga, masyadong marami yung unforced errors namin na kailangan namin i-correct pero luckily nanalo nga kami ng straight sets,” said Reyes.

Not only NU showed its height advantage but also their offensive firepower.

Alyssa Solomon led the Lady Bulldogs with 15 points including three blocks, former high school MVP Mhicaela Belen scored 14 points while Cess Robles tallied 12 points, eight digs and five receptions.

“Masaya kami dahil nakuha namin yung unang panalo pero marami pa kaming kailangan ayusin, marami pa yung kailangan naming i-improve so mahabang season,” said NU coach Karl Dimaculangan.

“Pero mabilis lang yung tournament kaya siguro kailangan makapag-adjust din kami.”

Lycha Ebon had nine points and six digs while Chenie Tagaod had four blocks for a seven-point outing for the Lady Tamaraws.

Lorene Toring scored eight points to lead the Lady Falcons.

Games tomorrow

(Mall of Asia Arena)
10 a.m. – NU vs Ateneo
12 noon – DLSU vs AdU
4 p.m. – FEU vs UP
6 p.m. – UE vs UST