Lady Patriots turn back Jaguars, keep UCAA title

MANILA, Philippines - La Salle-Dasmariñas dug deep into its bag tricks and repulsed Philippine School of Business Administration, 19-25, 25-19, 26-24, 25-18, Thursday to retain the 10th Universities and Colleges Athletic Association (UCAA) women’s volleyball tournament crown.

The Lady Patriots leaned on the combination of plays from Giselle Bembo and Bea Canillas in the fourth set to sweep their best-of-three title series with the Lady Jaguars at the Central Colleges of the Philippines gymnasium in Sta. Mesa, Manila.

 The win handed the Lady Patriots their ninth consecutive crown and their fourth under coach Darwin Campana in this spikefest supported by Mikasa and Molten Balls.

 Earlier, the CCP Lady Bobcats settled for third place after turning back the Emilio Aguinaldo College-Cavite Lady Vanguard, 25-10, 25-7, 25-8.

 The Lady Patriots took Game 1, 26-24, 25-21, 25-21, on Tuesday at the Ugnayang La Salle gymnasium in Dasmariñas, Cavite.

 The Lady Jaguars threatened at 10-12 in the final set, but allowed the Lady Patriots to turn the tide following a service error by Bea Ramos.

The champions, who took one hour, 39 minutes to beat the Lady Jaguars, then grabbed the next five points on attacks by Bembo and Canillas for a 16-11 edge.

 Bembo then joined forces with Iari Yongco at the frontline, their attacks giving the Lady Patriots a 22-15 lead.

 The Lady Jaguars took the opening set, 25-19, with Dyrene Rose Benecio and Ramos leading the offensive, but the Lady Patriots won the next three to keep their tiara.