In a clash between last year’s Final Four teams, De La Salle University silenced Far Eastern University with a 25-19, 25-14, 27-25 sweep in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Volleyball Tournament opener at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday.
The Lady Spikers overcame a 12-16 and 22-24 deficit in the third set and maintained their momentum to complete the straight-sets victory.
For Angel Canino, the credit goes to new La Salle captain Shevana Laput and the energy she brought to her role and responsibilities.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Talagang nagbi-bring ng positive energy sa loob ng court kasi ano siya eh, up girl siya. Positive girly, hype girl talaga siya ever since,” said the Season 85 rookie MVP after their win.
“‘Yung pagiging positive […] talaga niya, nadadala niya sa loob ng court. Like may mga teammates kami na nada-down pero dahil sa ginagawa niya, nali-lift kami.”
Canino noted that Laput’s positivity, both on and off the court, perfectly complemented what the other seniors have contributed to the squad.
Amie Provido, Lyka De Leon, and Canino are also fourth-year players for the Lady Spikers.
Laput led by example, racking up 23 points on 20 spikes, two blocks, and an ace, while Canino added 15 points. Provido also breached double digits with 11 points.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Napu-push kaming seniors na maging positive, so magandang environment talaga. Naging maganda yung environment namin nung naging captain si Shevana. Mag-batchmates din kami kaya talagang maganda yung naging dynamics namin, kasi meron kaming good guy, bad guy,” Canino said.
“So nagiging pantay talaga kasi sa labas ng court, magbibigay kami ng opinyon namin, kaming mga seniors. And doon lang namin pag-uusapan kung anong best para sa team,” she added.
“Lagi naming iniisip kung anong pinaka-best sa team, hindi best para sa amin lang seniors or best para sa mga bata. Hindi siya bias base [sa] lahat ng sinasabi namin, kaya nagiging maganda yung dynamic namin kaya lumalabas yung result starting today.”
La Salle’s mettle will be tested again as its next opponent is another Final Four team, University of Santo Tomas, on February 22.
The Lady Spikers will hope that their four seniors, along with the rest of the team, can continue thriving in this positive environment.
#WATCH: THEY’RE A STRONG TEAM 🏹
Skipper Shevana Laput and deputy coach Noel Orcullo are bracing for a tough matchup against UST 🏐#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/QThywxYFHE
📹 @ErnestTuazon /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/IFDGkjalgb
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) February 14, 2026
