De La Salle University head coach Ramil de Jesus in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball Finals. Photo by Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News.MANILA — De La Salle University fell short of banking on a third-set win as it bowed to National University in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball Finals opener.

The Lady Spikers were handed a rude awakening by the defending champions in their return to the Finals stage, with National U flexing its form against the Taft-based spikers to complete the four-set win.

READ: Belen, Alinsug shine as National U overwhelms La Salle for 1-0 lead

For La Salle head coach Ramil de Jesus, a major factor in their loss was that his players -- particularly their setters -- failed to live up to their billing in Game 1.

“Kitang kita naman na may difference sa setting,” the veteran mentor told a few reporters before exiting the Araneta Coliseum on Sunday. “Hopefully, sa next game, mas maayos na yung sa setting namin.”

La Salle only had 19 excellents sets to NU’s 25 —22 of which came from Lams Lamina — and it did not help their cause as the Lady Spikers only put up 47 attack points to the Lady Bulldogs’ 62.

“Kahit yung sa last interviews ko, yun ang sinabi ko,” he said. “Naging problema ko lang siguro kanina is yung talagang hindi ma-maximize yung mga spikers namin.”

“Although pag umabot naman 'yung set, nakakapatay naman,” he added.

La Salle is now facing a virtual twice-to-beat disadvantage in the Best-of-3 series, and National U can complete its hopes for a repeat as early as Wednesday, May 14, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

However, the 12-time UAAP champion coach remained optimistic that all hope is not lost for La Salle.

“Bilog ang bola,” de Jesus said. “Maaring pwede pang magbago. Kasi kanina maayos naman yung receive namin, at talagang may mga times na nakakadepensa rin.”

“Kasi kung nagawa ng third set, baka posibleng naipanalo ‘di ba? Kung ganun kalayo yung score. Hopefully maging maayos pa,” he added.