De La Salle University moved on the cusp of the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Finals after overpowering also-ran University of the East, 25-20, 25-18, 25-15, on Wednesday afternoon at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.
The Lady Spikers stayed unbeaten at 13-0 and inched closer to their first elimination-round sweep since Season 76 (2014) — an achievement that would secure an outright Finals berth and trigger a stepladder format.
La Salle will aim to complete the sweep against modern-day rival and defending champion National University this Sunday, April 19, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. The Lady Spikers won their first-round encounter against the Lady Bulldogs, 25-21, 25-19, 19-25, 25-17, last March 15 at the same Pasay venue.
La Salle was also able to insert substitutes Mikee Santos, Ella de Guzman, and Mikole Reyes, who all responded well in the straight-set victory.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Siguro, hindi naman mawawala yung pressure pagdating sa amin. Siyempre, nandoon yung pressure na kailangang manalo, pero lagi namang pinapaalala ni coach na score at number lang ’yan,” La Salle assistant coach Gian de Jesus said.
“Kailangan mag-focus pa rin sa kung ano yung nasa harapan mo, which is yung NU ngayon, at one game at a time lang. Sana, hopefully, maganda pa rin yung mapakita namin na game against NU.”
In the third set, the Lady Spikers turned a 4-4 deadlock into a comfortable 15-9 advantage, capped by three consecutive attacks from second-year outside hitter Shane Reterta.
From there, La Salle stayed firmly in control. Angel Canino’s attack, a Kristine Iquio attack error, a Mikee Santos crosscourt hit, and a down-the-line conversion from De Guzman sealed the match in just 78 minutes.
In a tightly-contested second frame, the Lady Spikers pulled ahead for a two-set advantage behind consecutive Lilay del Castillo blocks, a Canino backrow hit, and a quick attack by Amie Provido.
“That’s what the coaches are instilling in us — one game at a time. We don’t worry about this streak that we have and the 13-0; we worry about how we perform, and if we perform, of what we had done in training. Being disciplined in staying true to the system the coaches have taught us,” Laput said, who finished with 12 points on 10-of-20 kills, one block, and one ace alongside four excellent digs.
Canino also finished with 12 points on top of 10 excellent digs and seven excellent receptions. Del Castillo had nine points on five blocks and four attacks, while Provido supplied eight points on six attacks and two blocks.
Reterta posted an all-around stat line of five points, seven excellent digs, and seven excellent receptions, then Santos also added five points.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, the Lady Warriors remained winless through 13 games. They extended their losing streak to 27 consecutive matches while moving on the brink of a second straight winless campaign in UAAP women’s volleyball.
Khy Cepada led UE in the loss with 13 points on 10 attacks, two aces, and one block, along with 10 excellent receptions and four excellent digs. Bangayan added 10 points on eight attacks and two aces with six excellent digs.
Angge Reyes contributed 10 excellent digs and eight excellent receptions.
The Lady Warriors will look to break through against the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles this Saturday, April 18, at the same UST venue.
