The graduating hitter showed her scoring prowess in front of a 12,907-strong crowd and was backed by sophomore Jolina Dela Cruz and the Lady Spikers' young guns for DLSU’s seventh straight win over their archrivals since Season 79. Tiamzon finished the first game of her swan song with 17 points for DLSU, which survived the match despite committing an atrocious 33 errors.
Dela Cruz added 13 points, 6-foot-2 freshman Thea Gagate had 10 markers while freshman Leila Cruz had nine markers including the game-winning hit.
“Very crucial na game for us isa pa ‘pag ganitong first game (andyan) yung tinatawag na first game jitters,” said DLSU coach Ramil De Jesus. “Pero kita naman natin kahit bata ‘yung players namin medyo nakikita mo nawawala pero siyempre nakakabalik din. Hindi madali yung pinagdadaanan namin this game sabi ko basta tiawala lang.”
Using the momentum of their third set win, the Taft-based squad used a blistering 16-3 scoring barrage to turn a 4-4 deadlock to a commanding 20-7 advantage. The Lady Spikers then cruised to the win capped by a successful challenge on a block touch from Cruz’s hit.
Rookie Faith Nisperos was the only Ateneo player in double figures with 13 points while Jho Maraguinot had nine markers. Ponggay Gaston scored seven while Kat Tolentino had a quiet outing of six points in a hellish 5-of-41 attacking clip.
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