Shevana Laput delivered another stellar performance as De La Salle University outlasted Far Eastern University in a tense 25-17, 25-20, 25-22 victory to secure their fourth consecutive win and claim solo third place in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament on Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
After opening the season with a 1-2 record — their worst start since Season 68 in 2006— the Lady Spikers have rediscovered their form, stringing together four straight victories to finish the first round with a 5-2 slate.
The win also allowed La Salle to break free from a tie with FEU for third place.
De La Salle remained within reach of defending champion National University (6-0) and University of Santo Tomas (5-1), who will face off in a Finals rematch at 5:00 PM Sunday at the Big Dome.
Laput’s strong follow-up to her career-high 25-point outing against Ateneo not only powered De La Salle to victory but also extended their dominance over FEU, marking their seventh consecutive win against the Lady Tamaraws since Season 82.
FEU’s last triumph over La Salle came in the second round of Season 81 on April 28, 2019.
“Despite the short turnover, our team just really wanted to work hard and end this round on a high note, which I think we have done, so that we can continue this energy and effort going into Round 2,” said the Filipino-Australian opposite hitter.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
In a tightly contested third set, La Salle trailed 17-18 before Laput took charge. The 6-foot-2 spiker delivered two down-the-line kills and a crucial block to push La Salle ahead, 22-19.
Alleiah Malaluan then fired back-to-back aces, giving the Lady Spikers a comfortable cushion.
FEU managed to close the gap to 22-21, but Laput responded with an offspeed attack, followed by a net touch error from Congolese spiker Faida Bakanke. A well-timed 1-2 play from Mikole Reyes sealed La Salle’s four-game winning streak.
Earlier, the Lady Tamaraws attempted a comeback in the second set, narrowing a 20-14 deficit to 21-19 behind the efforts of Jaz Ellarina, Tin Ubaldo, and Bakanke. However, La Salle countered with a 4-1 run to close out the set and take a commanding 2-0 lead.
The Lady Spikers established control early in the match, racing to a 15-8 lead in the opening set. Malaluan’s consecutive down-the-line attacks and a block from Laput kept La Salle firmly in command.
“Happy ako kasi kahit hindi kami halos nakapagpahinga and then halos wala kami time para mag-aral para sa FEU, at least doon sa short time na ‘yon, nagawa nila yung mga pinag-aralan namin at nakasunod sila doon sa game plan. Yung focus nila, nandoon pa rin hanggang sa matapos yung game,” La Salle head coach Ramil de Jesus said.
Malaluan ended the day with 12 points on seven attacks, four aces, and one block, along with eight excellent receptions. Angel Canino had an all-around outing with 10 points on 10-of-25 attack efficiency, eight excellent receptions, and seven excellent digs.
Amie Provido chipped in eight points on five attacks, two blocks, and one ace.
Reyes orchestrated the offense with 20 excellent sets and one point, while Lyka de Leon anchored La Salle’s floor defense with 11 excellent sets and nine excellent receptions.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
After three consecutive wins, the loss dropped the Lady Tamaraws to solo fourth place with a 4-3 record.
No one from FEU reached double digits as Bakanke was limited to nine points and five excellent digs, while Gerz Petallo finished with eight points on 6-of-29 attack efficiency, one block, and one ace.
Mitzi Panangin and Jean Asis each contributed six points, with Asis adding two blocks to her tally.
