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Source: gmanews.tv

-- Reigning titlist De La Salle University remained unbeaten going into the Christmas break as it demolished University of the Philippines, 25-18, 26-24, 25-14 Saturday in the 72nd UAAP women’s volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Stephanie Mercado, daughter of 1980s Asia's Sprint Queen Lydia de Vega Mercado, scored 17 hits and a block as she paced the Lady Archers in notching their fifth straight victory.

Charleen Cruz contributed 13 points for the Taft-based squad, which only took one hour and eight minutes to dispose of the Lady Maroons (1-4).

Reserves Camille Cerveza and Isabella Lepping each put in three service aces out of the Lady Archers’ 11 total, to give the veterans a significant lift.

"Lagi kong sinasabi sa mga seniors ng team na gandahan ang kanilang laro para mabigyan ko rin ng exposure yung mga rookies at mga reserves. Sila kasi ang papalit sa kanila kapag wala na sila sa team," said La Salle mentor Ramil de Jesus.

Carmela Lopez had 14 points while Cathy Barcelon added 10 hits for the Lady Maroons, who were only in the game in the second set.

The volleybelles from Diliman took a 24-23 lead in the second frame but failed to wrap it up when Barcelon’s hit went outside. Mercado then scored two straight kills to end up the set in favor of La Salle.

The Lady Archers did not give the Lady Maroons much chance in the third set, seizing an unassailable 19-9 advantage spiked by Lepping's back-to-back service aces.