Perfection achieved: De La Salle University has finally reached lucky No. 13.
The Lady Spikers completed a sweep of the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament, dethroning the National University Lady Bulldogs in Game 2 of the Finals, 25-22, 25-16, 25-16, to claim the championship on Saturday.
La Salle ended a three-year title drought to hoist its 13th crown in the division before a roaring crowd of 22,509 inside the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Lady Spikers also became the first team to go 16-0 in the tournament since the NU Lady Bulldogs in Season 84 (2022). They now join that NU team and the Season 77 Ateneo Lady Eagles as the only teams to finish 16-0.
This victory also marked La Salle’s first tournament sweep since Season 67 (2004), when it went 14-0 and was declared automatic champions after the elimination round.
“Sobrang happy ako dito sa championship na ito. Ito talaga ‘yung target namin after nung Season 87, talagang makabalik dito sa Finals. Hindi ko rin ini-expect na masisweep namin 16-0. Proud ako sa mga players ko and sa coaching staff,” said a jubilant Lady Spikers head coach Ramil de Jesus.
It was total domination for La Salle, which also took Game 1 last Wednesday, 25-23, 25-18, 25-18.
But in Game 2, the Lady Spikers were even fiercer, sharper, and hungrier.
Leading by just 13-10 in the third set, La Salle pulled away for good as Shevana Laput, Eshana Nunag, and Angel Canino sparked a 6-2 blitz for a commanding 19-12 advantage.
Eventual Finals MVP Laput then sealed the championship after one hour and 30 minutes with a back-row hit down the line, completing both the title and the tournament sweep.
“Based on the last game, we knew NU was gonna come in more motivated to take this win. Because of that, we also had to come in more motivated to win the championship,” said Laput, who delivered a game-high 20 points on 14 attacks and six blocks, alongside eight digs.
“I believe that’s what we did. We defeated them in three sets — it shows that we really, really wanted this championship.”
She rebounded from early struggles in the Finals opener, where she helped La Salle secure another straight-sets win with 11 points.
Canino added 11 points, 10 receptions, and 10 digs, while Amie Provido chipped in nine points. Playmaker Nunag orchestrated the offense with 17 excellent sets.
Shane Reterta and Lilay Del Castillo contributed eight points apiece, while Lyka De Leon anchored the floor defense with 10 excellent digs and seven excellent receptions.
Meanwhile, the Lady Bulldogs settled for silver after dominating the league for the past two seasons.
It was a difficult start to the post-Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon era for NU.
Captain Vange Alinsug was the lone NU player in double figures with 14 points.
Rookie Sam Cantada bounced back from a quiet Game 1 with an 8-of-21 attacking clip and eight digs, but it was not enough to extend the series.
Arah Panique was limited to seven points after erupting for 18 in Game 1, while Camilla Lamina dished out 11 excellent sets in her final game in a Lady Bulldogs uniform.
Alexa Mata also played her final game for NU.
