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| La Salle's Ara Galang was head, shoulders, and hands above the Ateneo Lady Eagles. |
What La Salle did
right and questions about Ateneo
by rick olivares pics by brosi gonzales
The La Salle Lady Spikers came out as expected –
firing away and all pumped up. Not any different from how they did in Game One
I should point out unlike how some make it out to be that they were lethargic
and not themselves during their loss.
No. The difference this time is the Lady Spikers
capitalized on the opportunities that came their way.
Opportunity
#1 Taking that first set
La Salle took the first set of Game One yet still
lost. So what is the difference in Game Two.
The match was close up to the middle of the first set
with the score 12-11 in favor of the girls in green. Then DLSU rattled off five
straight points that gave them control.
In Game One at the same stage, the score was 12-3 in
favor of La Salle when Ateneo closed the set strong, going 14-13, although DLSU
25-17 won the set.
Denden Lazaro got injured with the score at 18-3 and
her absence did not help Ateneo. But that wasn’t a factor in the first set that
La Salle closed out, 25-14. They allowed Ateneo only three more points – a 13-3
closing blitz.
Opportunity
#2 Denden Lazaro was out for the second set
If it wasn’t a factor in the first set it sure was in
the second set. The girls in blue looked rudderless on defense without Lazaro
to receive and to dig them out of trouble.
Injuries are all part of the game (as is officiating)
and no excuses must be made.
La Salle pounded Ateneo here and that really gave
them a massive dose of confidence. A two-set led is always big for
psychological reasons. You don’t want mountains to climb especially against the
three-time defending champions.
Opportunity
#3 Their championship mettle was on full display
Kim Fajardo was the key in this game as she set up
her teammates for attacks. If the padawan that is Jia Morado showed her stuff
in Game One, the Jedi Master in Fajardo seized control of the Force in Game Two
that put La Salle on the brink of a fourth straight title. She had 26 excellent sets to the 17 of Morado.
With their attacks going, La Salle bombarded Ateneo
from different angles – Ara Galang led the way with 17 points while Abi Maraño
and Mika Reyes played much better scoring 14 and 11 respectively. They were
factors all throughout unlike in Game One where they seemed reticent after
being put on their heels for the first time all season.
I’d also give special mention to Maraño who really is
the heart and soul of this team. Their last two title teams have really taken a
cue off her fiery on-court personality. She pumps them up and she encourages
them.
Some people may not like her for her on court antics
but I don’t mind. Hell, anyone would love to have someone like her on their
team. So ‘nuff said. She’s one heckuva volleyball player.
Having said all of that, La Salle dodged a bullet. They'll want to close this out in the next game because if it goes to a final match, then there are no sure things.
Having said all of that, La Salle dodged a bullet. They'll want to close this out in the next game because if it goes to a final match, then there are no sure things.
Looking at
Ateneo for Game Two and heading into Game Three
The biggest question is Denden Lazaro’s health. Her
absence was sorely felt in the second set. In fact in the first set, it was
very noticeable as the Lady Spikers won points #22-24.
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| This is part of an eight-shot sequence where Denden was wincing in pain but would oft look back to the action with a look of concern on her face. What a trooper! |
In the third set, you saw how her return galvanized
Ateneo and propelled them to pull back one set from La Salle. It was a gutsy
return that also inspired the Lady Eagles.
That was really evident with the score at 11-10 in
favor of Ateneo, she cased a checked ball going out of bounds. She apparently
forgot that she was not 100% and she was limping after a few strides. And you
really have to respect that desire and heart.
Denden also put them in a good position to take the
fourth set but the breaks went La Salle’s way as the girls in green won.
So how is Lazaro? Well, she practiced in preparation
for the next game. So she’s all right.
But you have to like the Lady Eagles’ collective
response. Instead of falling apart sans Lazaro, they only lost 25-20 in the
second set. The break between two sets gave them some time to adjust but it was
still difficult when there is no one who naturally slides behind the blockers
for a dig.
I wouldn’t say that Michelle Morente (I call her
M&M) and Aeriael Patnongon were checked. Coach Anusorn Bundit just mixed it
up by bringing in Marge Tejada (who scored the moment after she stepped on the
court while adding five points) and Kim Gequillana (five points) who to use the
vernacular was good “bunots”. They played so well that Morente and Patnongon
didn’t return. But for them to extend the series, everyone has to play well. They have already overachieved but after having come this far, they want to win. Second best for a third straight year is nothing but a moral victory and let's not kid ourselves.
How were they inside the locker room post-loss?
They were fine. While there was disappointment, they
were okay. An Ateneo sports official joked how they liked putting themselves in
do-or-die positions.
Alyssa Valdez apologized for her late error in the
fourth set.
And Coach Thai said that for Game Three (of what
really is an odd best-of-five series in this stepladder format), the Ateneo
Lady Eagles have to have their “hearts stronger.”
All I know is that if in the second game of this
finals, it was more intense, the levels will go up several notches higher. If
that is even possible.
Oh boy! Just watched the 3rd game. I was not totally disappointed with ALE's loss in this write up (2nd game) because they had the momentum and even extended the 4th set. So I was pretty confident of ALE's chances if a 5th happened. They have resiliency oh boy this bunch. So when the just concluded 3rd game reached the distance (and still down about 12-8, 13-11 and this time the opponents have the momentum), I strongly felt the spurt would come and that Dlsu would somehow implode again (as they did in the 4th set of the second game and now in this 5th set of the 3rd). Mas nauunahan ng kaba ang Dlsu! And that against a range of rookies?! Wow. Just wow. Talagang do or die na ito sa Sabado. It just boils down to one last game. Go girls. Go ALE. OBF!
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