THE deepening night did nothing to hinder the crowd inside the University of Southeaster Philippines Gym from cheering for their volleyball idols in the first ever game between the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers and crowd darlings of Manila All-stars played here in Davao last Saturday night.
A crowd of all ages shouted at the top of their lungs as the breath-taking match between the two teams reached a fever pitch in the third set which was either victory for the Manila All-Stars or another chance for the Lady Spikers.
Although the All-stars darlings were poised to get the audience confidence, the Lady Spikers still fought till the end with 26-25 scoreline in favor of the All-stars.
La Salle fans Gay Marie Santillan, Rachell Dagaas, Michelle Rigor and Jade Andrea Lu travelled as far as General Santos to witness their idol tossing and spiking balls in the nets of Davao City.
Norman Diagan, 18, and a volleyball player of BS Business Management in Ateneo de Davao University and a "Yeyelover," said, "For me, it's a great opportunity na makita sila.”
“They served as my inspiration, ino-observe ko talaga to develop my skills para maging same ako dun," said Diagan, whose idol is Ara Dalagan of Lady Spikers.
"Masaya masyado ang game pero okay lang kahit natalo ang La Salle kasi maganda naman ang game," said Darlyn Galito, 14, from Davao City and a fan of DLSU's Mika Reyes.
Some, however, were expecting more.
"I was expecting more, especially sa La Salle kasi three-peat champion sila. I was a bit disappointed pero okay lang, at least we saw our idols," USEP Mintal student Wensh Ricafrente said after witnessing the game.
"Sayang kasi three sets lang, maganda pa naman. Dapat pinaabot nila ng five sets. Walang kalaban-laban ng La Salle kasi third set lang sila lumaban," Arriane Crystal Asense, a Fille Cainglet fan from Los Amigos, Calinan said.