De La Salle University barely felt Shevana Laput’s absence, handing the University of the Philippines its first loss with a decisive 25-12, 25-15, 25-19 win in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.
Even without the 6-foot-2 Laput, who was sidelined due to illness, the Lady Spikers cruised to a dominant sweep, extending their record to 3-0 atop the standings alongside the National University Lady Bulldogs.
It marked La Salle’s third consecutive straight-set victory. Unlike their first two matches, where they had to rally in the third set to secure wins, the Lady Spikers finished the job quickly this time.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Siguro natututo na doon sa first two games namin na palaging pagdating ng third set magre-relax. So ngayon, niremind ko lang sila na kailangan kung ano yung mindset doon sa first set hanggang third set dapat ganon din,” said La Salle head coach Ramil De Jesus.
La Salle matched defending two-time champion National University for first place at 3-0. The Lady Spikers wasted no time asserting themselves in the battle of unbeaten teams, surging to a 12-1 start en route to a 25-12 first-set win.
Their energy and resolve never wavered, and they closed out the match in straight sets in just 82 minutes.
“Masaya p. Lagi ko lang po iniisip pag naglalaro yung sinasabi po ng coaches namin, na this is the time na ipakita po yung pinagtitrainingan namin. And as a rookie, gusto ko rin po makatulong sa seniors, so it’s something na po na lagi kong iniisip during the game,” said rookie Mikee Santos, who started in place of Laput.
Santos made an immediate impact, scoring 10 points on eight spikes and two blocks in her first career start.
Season 85 MVP Angel Canino led La Salle’s balanced attack with 12 points, six receptions, and five digs, while Amie Provido and Shane Reterta added 11 points each.
Rookie playmaker Eshana Nunag also impressed with 15 excellent sets and one block, helping La Salle dominate UP in the spiking department, 44-20.
La Salle will aim for a fourth straight win on Sunday against Ateneo de Manila University at the Big Dome.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
For UP, the loss dropped the Fighting Maroons to 2-1, tied for third with the Adamson Lady Falcons.
They face a tough two-match stretch, starting with a showdown against the Lady Bulldogs on Saturday to bounce back from the straight-set defeat.
Casiey Dongallo led UP in scoring with six points.
