For much of its unbeaten run in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament, De La Salle University leaned heavily on its blocking and the firepower of skipper Shevana Laput and Angel Canino.
Together, they formed a one-two punch that overwhelmed the eight-team field and propelled the Lady Spikers to a first-round sweep.
But on Saturday night inside the SMART Araneta Coliseum, with their perfect record hanging in the balance against the ever-persistent Adamson Lady Falcons, it was Amie Provido who stepped into the spotlight for the Lady Spikers.
“It was really a tough game. Grabe, linaban din talaga namin. Thankful ako kasi nakatulong ako sa team, and ‘yon din talaga yung role ko as a senior, I really need to step up for the team,” the Iloilo City native said post-game.
Entering the second round as the league’s best blocking team, La Salle was uncharacteristically off-rhythm at the net, with the Lady Spikers managing only three blocks through the first three sets.
Then came the turning point in the fourth set.
La Salle looked poised to be dragged into a decisive fifth set after falling into a 13-18 hole in the fourth frame. Instead, Provido ignited a decisive surge, scoring four points in a pivotal 8-3 run that tied the game at 22-all and ultimately allowed the Lady Spikers to remain unscathed at 9-0.
Behind the towering presence of the 5-foot-11 middle blocker, the Lady Spikers rediscovered their defensive identity, with Provido accounting for four of La Salle’s six blocks in the fourth set.
She finished with 18 points — nine of which came in the fourth frame — built on 12-of-19 attacks, five of La Salle’s nine blocks, and an ace. Still, Provido downplayed her season-best outing as simply answering the call and embracing her role as a senior as the competition continues to intensify.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“For me naman, coming into this second round, lagi kami sinasabihan ng mga coaches na to not be complacent talaga. Kahit na na-sweep namin yung first round, dito talaga sa second round makikita yung totoong laban kasi nagbabasahan na yung teams, nag-a-adjust na rin sa bawat isa,” the 22-year-old middle blocker shared.
“Makikita rin talaga kanina na nahirapan din kami sa Adamson kasi linaban din talaga nila. Thankful kami na nakuha namin yung panalo, and dito rin sa second round, mas mate-test pa kami bawat isa sa team — yung character ng team at yung mental toughness. Kailangan naming paghandaan.”
Eager to sustain her fine form in a bid to extend the Lady Spikers’ unbeaten run, the Alas Pilipinas Women member vowed to turn her season-best performance into much-needed motivation ahead of what is expected to be a more challenging second round.
Provido’s form — and, more importantly, La Salle’s unbeaten run — will be put to the test when the Lady Spikers clash with surging rival University of Santo Tomas this Wednesday, still at the historic Big Dome.
Set to face formidable middle blockers in rookie duo Avril Bron and Lianne Penuliar, along with Marga Altea and Nigerian standout Blessing Unekwe, Provido will continue to refine her individual skill set as she backs up Canino and Laput.
“Ako naman as a first middle blocker, siyempre Ate nila ako. I really need to step up for them, for the team. Kailangan kong ipakita sa kanila na nandito ako para sa kanila at na maaasahan nila ako. Yung panalo na ito, confidence booster siya at pagpapatuloy ko pa. Marami pa akong kailangang i-improve sa sarili ko pa — alam ko ‘yon,” said Provido.
“Alam ko naman na nandiyan lang din yung mga batchmates ko para sa akin.”
#WATCH: NO ROOM FOR COMPLACENCY 🏹
Amie Provido knows that she has to raise her game in the second round of #UAAPSeason88 🏐#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/W9s69z2xyw
📹 @ErnestTuazon /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/m2Lq39XE79
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) March 21, 2026
