UAAP volleyball: La Salle beats upset-conscious Ateneo in Game 1

LADY spikers from De La Salle University showed resilience in over two hours, hacking out a five-set victory against Ateneo de Manila in Game 1 of the 75th UAAP women's volleyball finals on Saturday night.

After dropping the first two sets (20-25, 17-25) the Archers took the next three (25-22, 25-22, 15-6) despite having 48 errors as opposed to the Lady Eagles' 25.

"Alam namin na kami ang defending champions, kami ang back-to-back champions. Nahirapan kami sa first two sets, na-challenge yung kilos at puso namin pero nilabas ni God ang gusto makita ng mga tao sa La Salle team," veteran Michelle Gumabao told reporters at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Game 2 is set at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Wednesday as La Salle tries to bag its third consecutive crown in the league.

Victorana Galang had 17 points, followed by Gumabao and Mika Reyes with 15 markers each.

Alyssa Valdez took charge for the Lady Eagles with 17 points including four blocks. Fille Cainglet posted 14.

"Hindi na naka-receive. Napabayaan lang at puro error. We just have to accept what happened," said Ateneo coach Roger Gorayeb.

A similar script was followed in the men's finals match as National University came back from two sets down, 16-25, 18-25, 25-13, 25-17, 15-8, to nip Far Eastern University and take the series lead, 1-0.

The Bulldogs, a first-timer in the championship round, pounced on the Tamaraws' errors especially in the third set.

Peter Torres topped NU's scorers with 18 points, four coming from blocks while Rueben Inaudito added 16 points.

"We are excited for this series. This is the culmination of our year-long practice," he said.

Some of NU's players such as Torres and Reyson Fuentes are actually transferees from FEU as they found it hard to go against former teammates.

"We're just doing this for the glory of the school," said Fuentes. Off the court, we are friends."

For his part, Tamaraws mentor George Pascua said they have to improve on parrying NU's attacks.

"We have to focus on our service, blocking," he said.

Only two FEU players, led by John Depamaylo, finished in double digits with a game-high 19 points. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)