Angel Canino powered De La Salle University to a hard-earned 23-25, 25-20, 30-28, 29-27 victory over the University of Santo Tomas, securing the twice-to-beat advantage in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Final Four playoff for the No. 2 seed on Wednesday afternoon at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Canino led the charge with 24 points built on 19 attacks, along with 12 excellent receptions and 10 excellent digs, as the Lady Spikers clinched the playoff bonus for the sixth time in nine seasons dating back to Season 77.
With the win, La Salle and UST are now set for their fourth Final Four meeting in five seasons. The crucial knockout duel is scheduled for Saturday, May 3, at 6:00 PM at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Historically, teams armed with the twice-to-beat advantage have always advanced in their postseason match-ups.
The Golden Tigresses defeated the Lady Spikers in their Final Four meetings during Seasons 81 and 86, both times as the higher-seeded squad. Meanwhile, La Salle exacted revenge in Season 85, eliminating UST on their way to capturing their 12th UAAP women’s volleyball title.
This victory also served as redemption for the Lady Spikers, who suffered a painful loss to UST in a similar playoff for the No. 2 seed back on May 1, 2019, in Season 81 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
“Pinakita lang ng mga bata yung puso na gusto nilang manalo, kaya siguro ganon yung naging resulta. Sabi nga namin sa kanila, hindi pa tapos yung laban, kaya pa natin dumikit. Bakit hindi natin tiyagain na kunin natin itong set at panalo na ito? Hanggang hindi umabot sa 25 points yung kalaban, huwag kayo bibitaw, kapitan niyo,” said Lady Spikers assistant coach Noel Orcullo.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
The other Final Four match-up will feature defending champion National University against No. 4 seed Far Eastern University at 2:00 PM on Saturday, also at the Big Dome.
The Lady Bulldogs, who handed UST a stinging loss in the final day of eliminations to force the playoff for No. 2, hold the twice-to-beat incentive over the Lady Tamaraws.
UST came close to forcing a fifth set in the playoff. Errors from Julyana Tolentino (service) and Shevana Laput (attack) pushed La Salle into a 22-24 hole in the fourth set. But Alleiah Malaluan responded with a clutch kill block on Angge Poyos, followed by a service ace to send the set into extended play.
The Lady Spikers then weathered three UST set points before tying the set again at 27-all, thanks to an off-the-block hit from Canino.
The Season 85 Rookie-MVP didn’t let up. With timely support from her teammates, a Lilay Del Castillo block and a backrow hit from Laput sealed the Lady Spikers’ claim to the No. 2 seed in a grueling two-hour and 45-minute showdown.
Canino also stepped up in the extended third set — the longest of the season so far at 43 minutes. After La Salle squandered four set points due to service errors and relentless attacks by Poyos, Canino came through in the clutch with back-to-back points: a combination play and a through-the-block hit to secure the pivotal 2-1 set lead.
Aside from their endgame composure, the Lady Spikers also dominated at the net, finishing with 20 blocks compared to just eight for the Golden Tigresses.
“This playoff was such a big opportunity for us. Despite everything that has happened in the elimination round, we were given this playoff chance. We were not gonna throw away this shot. We fought for this and we definitely put our hearts and everything out because we need this twice-to-beat [advantage],” said Laput, who finished with 22 points on 19 attacks.
Malaluan chipped in 11 points along with 10 excellent receptions and seven excellent digs. Amie Provido anchored the middle with 10 points, including a game-high five blocks.
Tolentino contributed 20 excellent sets and one point, while Lyka de Leon held the backcourt with 21 excellent digs and 10 receptions.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Poyos paced UST with a triple-double of 24 points, 13 excellent digs, and 12 receptions. Reg Jurado added 12 points and 13 digs.
UST setter Cassie Carballo registered 28 excellent sets, while team captain Detdet Pepito notched 25 digs and 15 receptions in the losing effort.
#WATCH: Coach Noel Orcullo beams with pride as Shev Laput, Amie Provido, and the Lady Spikers showed grit and heart in their #UAAPSeason87 playoff battle for the No. 2 spot vs. UST 🏐
📹 @ErnestTuazon /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/TqbAwPB9Xd
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) April 30, 2025
