MANILA, Philippines -- De La Salle University captain Desiree Cheng has never been shy about making her feelings known inside the court -- especially when it comes to celebrating a particularly important point for the Lady Spikers.

She was her usual exuberant self on Sunday, when the defending UAAP champions took on University of Santo Tomas (UST) in the second round of Season 81. The Lady Spikers were out for revenge, having lost to the Golden Tigresses in straight sets in the first round.

Things did not go her way in the first round as Cheng was soundly denied by UST's Kacey Galdones to end the first set, which UST won 25-21. But the La Salle veteran had the last laugh, as Cheng powered the Lady Spikers to victory in the next three frames while scoring a career-best 20 points.

Des Cheng and Sisi Rondina trade hits 👀 #UAAPSeason81Volleyball pic.twitter.com/60611o9JwE

— ABS-CBN Sports (@abscbnsports) March 31, 2019

All throughout, Cheng kept playing with her trademark flair -- wagging her fingers after a block, pointing to the UST court after a point, and firing up the La Salle crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena -- while also seemingly riling up the España faithful.

🗣 Des Cheng wants to hear you, DLSU! #UAAPSeason81Volleyball pic.twitter.com/xM2qnTb70s

— ABS-CBN Sports (@abscbnsports) March 31, 2019

"Siguro, mas gusto lang namin manalo today," Cheng said after La Salle's 21-25, 25-23, 25-19, 26-24 triumph where she had 14 kills, 3 blocks, and 3 aces.

"Mas gusto namin na gumanda 'yung kung nasaan kami ngayon, 'yung standing namin," she explained. "Naglaro kami as one team, kaya ganoon 'yung naging result."

• READ: Lady Spikers down Tigresses for solo second

Cheng only had 7 points when the Lady Spikers bowed to the Golden Tigresses in round 1, so the veteran open spiker was determined to make up for her subpar performance.

"Kailangan namin bumawi," she said. "And 'yung bawi na hindi lang puro salita, kung 'di 'yung bawi na may gawa."

Cheng was as good as her word, and the Lady Spikers clearly took their cue from their team captain. When the final whistle blew at the MOA Arena, the defending champions had improved their record to 7-3, and seized sole ownership of the second place in the league standings.

"Obviously, it's very important right now kasi 'pag natalo kami ngayon parang magkakaroon ng maraming tie, and then mahihirapan pa kaming bumangon again from a loss," said Cheng.

"Kailangan namin maging consistent na. Ganito na 'yung gagalawin namin all throughout," she also said. "Feeling ko kasi habang tumatagal mas lumalakas 'yung mga teams, so kahit na ganoon na nothing to lose na 'yung ibang teams, kailangan pa rin naming respetuhin sila."

Cheng and the Lady Spikers return to action on April 7 against Adamson University.

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