The Lady Spikers failed to repeat as champions as they fell to a resurgent UST in 4 sets, 18-25, 14-25, 25-16, 15-25. Led by skipper Stephanie Mercado, the team put up a valiant stand but fell prey to the taller and more experienced UST team.

La Salle took the first point of the match, but that was the only time they would taste the lead in the opening set. Although the Lady Spikers managed to limit their errors to 7, the same number as UST, poor reception resulted in less points on the attacks, 5 to UST’s 14. Our team’s spikes were either partially blocked or easily retrieved. Blocking was not as effective at the start, allowing UST to build their momentum and confidence as their attacks penetrated our net defenses. Trailing at 10-12, UST scored on 3 spikes and an error by Gohing to lead at the 2nd technical timeout. The Lady Spikers pulled to within 16-19 before UST went to their powerful hitters to take the first set.

The 2nd set started off on a positive note, with the team taking the lead up to the first technical timout at 8-7. However, unforced errors from our service as well as a couple of errant spikes allowed UST to take the lead, 8-11 forcing Coach Ramil to call for time and advise the players to slow things down. He also fielded Cerveza, Yeung, Gumabao, and Diego in an effort to break the lethargic play of our team, to no avail. Uncertainty and a curious loss of concentration told on the team, as they yielded the second set 14-25. In this set, UST exploited a small weakness whenever our setter Martinez was in the frontline as they shifted the ball to her side and used their height advantage to power their shots over her. With momentum on their side, UST looked to sweep the Lady Spikers.