De La Salle University and National University have been the defining rivals of UAAP collegiate women’s volleyball in the post-pandemic era.
While both schools have claimed championships at the other’s expense, the rivalry has largely been one-sided in recent years.
The Lady Bulldogs and Lady Spikers clashed in the UAAP’s return in 2022, with NU asserting dominance and completing a Season 84 sweep, including the Finals series.
That was in part thanks to the arrival of Bella Belen, who made history as the first-ever league rookie-MVP in the women’s division.
La Salle, however, truly turned the rivalry into a titanic showdown in Season 85, with rookie-MVP Angel Canino carrying the Lady Spikers to the title.
That momentum, however, was short-lived. In Season 86, La Salle faltered, settling for bronze after losing to University of Santo Tomas in the Final Four.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Even in the Season 87 Finals, the Lady Spikers fell short as the Jhocson-based squad dominated in two games.
Since the second round of Season 86, NU has strung together five straight wins against La Salle, including four victories in Season 87.
That made the Lady Spikers’ victory over the Lady Bulldogs, 25-21, 25-19, 19-25, 25-17, in the first round of Season 88 all the more meaningful — especially for seniors Canino and Shevana Laput.
“Lalong-lalo na sa’ming seniors, malaking bagay din talaga ‘tong panalo sa’min. Kasi noong rookies kami, siyempre andun yung buong tiwala ng La Salle community, ng buong team, kasi yung tapang namin nandun eh,” said Canino, who energized the Lasallian faithful back in Season 85.
“Then right after that, nawala kami as a team and individually, and medyo hinayaan namin na magkaroon yung streak yung NU against us. And sobrang laking sakit siguro yung nakuha namin against NU, kasi ilang beses namin triny din talaga na talunin sila, pero hindi namin nagawa.”
After years of heartbreaks and a crown that slipped through their fingers, Canino knows this time it’s their championship to lose.
The Lady Spikers’ perfect 7-0 first round is proof that they are ready to reclaim their throne.
Alongside Canino and Laput, middle blocker Amie Provido and libero Lyka de Leon are also designated seniors and team leaders.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“So kami ngayong seniors, pinapangako talaga namin na pagpasok na pagpasok sa loob ng court, gusto naming ipakilala ulit kung sino kami. Gusto naming magkaroon kami ulit ng statement sa mga kalaban namin,” shared Canino, who contributed 14 points, 10 receptions, and six digs.
“Matagal na namin ‘tong hinahantay and ayaw naming palagpasin pa ’yung moment na ‘to kasi ito na ’yung time. Wala nang ibang time para ipakita sa mga tao na once again Lady Spikers kami. Lahat ng values na nandun as a Lady Spikers, dito na makikita ngayong Season 88. Kaya gusto namin talagang paghirapan bawat step, bawat game, gusto namin ipakita yun.”
Laput, who serves as team captain this season, echoed Canino’s sentiments.
The 6-foot-1 opposite spiker emphasized that while NU has had its moment in recent years, it’s now La Salle’s time to shine.
“Coming into the game, we knew that this is our time, this is our season. It’s now. We’ve let them have their time, but now it’s time for us to step up and rise to the occasion and do what we know we can do. Which is, we know that we can be a championship-level team,” said Laput, who led the Lady Spikers with 19 points and eight digs.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Despite the emphatic victory, La Salle knows that the first-round sweep alone means little if they cannot sustain this level of dominance.
The Lady Spikers are preparing for the tougher grind of the second round, where targets on their backs will grow even larger.
“But again, like I said, we have to earn it, and we have to work for it. Every single point, every single game, every single training, we have to work hard to be able to be worthy. For us to be worthy of being a championship-level team,” said Laput.
“We are happy, but again, there are things that we need to improve on. And as soon as we get back, that’s something that we will focus on.”
#WATCH: GUSTO NAMIN IPAKILALA ULIT KUNG SINO KAMI 🏹
Angel Canino says La Salle’s first round win over NU was long-awaited by her fellow seniors 🏐#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/XfzWo6534w
📹 @lorenzodelc /Tiebreaker Times#UAAPSeason88 pic.twitter.com/Y7WEFtI6wV
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) March 15, 2026
