Sixteen days off meant nothing as De La Salle University stepped into the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Finals with the same ruthless form that swept the elimination round.
The Lady Spikers showed no signs of rust, dominating two-time defending champion National University Lady Bulldogs in Game 1 of the best-of-three Finals, 25-23, 25-18, 25-18, to move on the cusp of the crown on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
La Salle will eye its first season sweep since 2004 and its 13th championship overall in Game 2 on Saturday, 5:00 PM, still at the Pasay venue. On the other hand, NU will look to force a winner-take-all Game 3.
“Mabagal ‘yung start namin and eventually nung latter part na ng set, naka-adjust na ‘yung team at nakasabay na sa ganong klaseng labanan at na-handle ang pressure,” said Lady Spikers head coach Ramil de Jesus.
“Nung first week (of waiting) namin actually recovery at rehab kami. Then the following week, medyo nag-adjust na kami, kaunting conditioning at tuneup games, ganon kahaba,” he added, reflecting on the team’s two-week break.
“At least maganda para sa amin kasi nung natapos ang second round, bugbog kami sa laro eh. Kinailangan ng team yun at naging advantage namin siguro yun.”
La Salle clawed back from a 14-19 deficit in the opening set behind the combined efforts of Amie Provido, Shane Reterta, Lilay del Castillo, and Angel Canino to steal the frame, 25-23.
That momentum carried over as the Lady Spikers pulled away in the second set, 25-18.
With Provido leading the charge and Shevana Laput bouncing back from early struggles, La Salle overcame a 0-4 start in the third set. They then unleashed a decisive 9-0 run that flipped a 14-15 deficit into a commanding 23-15 lead, sealing the win in just one hour and 37 minutes.
Reterta, Canino, and Provido spearheaded the finishing surge, capitalizing on two errors from the Lady Bulldogs.
This was La Salle’s first straight-sets win over NU this season, after winning in four sets in the first round and in five sets in the second round.
“Happy ako kasi ‘yung mga bata talaga today, nag-step up din. Lahat talaga naipakita ng team na kung sino man ang ipasok, kayang mag-contribute,” said Canino, who delivered a team-high 17 points on 15 spikes, one block, and one ace, along with nine digs and five receptions.
“I think that’s one of the best things na nangyari ngayong game na ito. Of course, ‘yung kapit din as a team, nakita ulit namin na kaya naming kumapit kahit lamang ang NU.”
Reterta also came through for the Lady Spikers with 11 points and nine digs, while handling heavy service pressure from NU with a solid 23-of-40 reception clip.
Provido added 12 points — half of which came in the third set — on seven attacks, four blocks, and an ace, while captain Laput chipped in 11 points, including five in the final frame.
For NU, Arah Panique led the way with 18 points on 15 attacks and three blocks, while Vange Alinsug added 12 points despite a low 11-of-43 spiking efficiency.
The Lady Bulldogs’ next highest scorer was Alexa Mata with three points. Presumptive Rookie of the Year Sam Cantada was held in check, finishing with just two points on 1-of-18 attacking efficiency and one ace.
