Galang fires up Lady Spikers vs Tams

MANILA, Philippines – La Salle star Ara Galang returned with a bang as the Lady Spikers scored a 29-27, 25-23, 25-20 victory over Far Eastern last night in the UAAP Season 78 women’s volleyball tourney at the PhilSports Arena.

Playing her first game since going out on an ACL and MCL tear in the Season 77 Final Four, Galang struck for 10 points – all on attacks –and also had five excellent digs and five excellent receptions to help DLSU start on a winning note.

Galang’s solid outing was complemented by Mika Reyes, who scored a team-high 13, and Kim Fajardo who issued 35 excellent sets. Carol Ann Cerveza matched Galang’s 10-point output.

Toni Rose Basas (13) and Mary Remy Joy Palma (12) paced the Lady Tams.

Earlier, Adamson outlasted Santo Tomas in five grueling sets, 25-22, 25-21, 20-25, 28-30,16-14, in a marathon match that saw Lady Falcon Jessica Margarette Galanza and Tigress Cherry Rondina dish out career-best numbers.

Galanza punched in 28 points, capping her heroics by serving the ace that clinched it for AdU in the two-hour, 32-minute game, as she got the last laugh in the high-scoring duel with Rondina, who sizzled with 30.

Myleen Paat supported Galanza with 19, helping AdU get on the hill with a block on Rondina, while May Jeenalyn Roque chipped in 13.

“It was good that the character of the team was tested. It showed who will lead the team and everybody stepped up,” AdU coach Sherwin Meneses said in Filipino.

Skipper EJ Laure and Marivic Meneses backed up Rondina with 15 and 13, respectively.

La Salle and National U posted identical three-set triumphs over separate foes in the men’s side.

The Green Archers disposed of University of the East, 25-18 28-26, 26-24, while the Bulldogs clobbered Adamson, 25-22, 25-22, 25-7.