De La Salle University secured a commanding victory against National University in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball finals, winning 25-23, 25-18, 25-18.
Head coach Ramil De Jesus praised his team's composure, which he deemed crucial after a two-week break from competitive play.
Despite the Lady Bulldogs’ experience in pressure situations, De Jesus emphasized that La Salle's mental toughness made a significant difference.
The match drew a crowd of 15,056 fans at SM Mall of Asia Arena, underscoring the intensity of the finals rematch.
Strategic Adjustments Pay Off
De Jesus noted that while La Salle had to adjust to the high-pressure environment, their preparation during the break focused on conditioning and recovery.
We had a slow start, then eventually we were able to adjust to that type of exchange. They were handling the pressure well.
Ramil De Jesus
With the departure of key players Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon, NU relied on veterans Vange Alinsug and Arah Panique, while rookie Sam Cantada continued her recovery.
De Jesus confirmed that La Salle did not implement a specific defensive strategy for Cantada, instead focusing on their strong blocking capabilities.
What I reminded them is that we are the number one blocking team, so whoever flies to score, we need to block them.
Ramil De Jesus