De La Salle University bounced back from a second-set stumble, dominating the next two frames to secure a 25-12, 23-25, 25-14, 25-17 victory over the University of the East in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
After conceding the second set, the Lady Spikers responded with urgency in the third. And they found a spark off the bench from Jyne Soreño, who powered a blistering 13-1 run.
La Salle then pulled away in the fourth, breaking free from a tight 17-14 lead behind contributions from Alleiah Malaluan, Amie Provido, and Lilay Del Castillo.
Meanwhile, UE struggled with costly errors, sealing the Lady Spikers’ four-set triumph after one hour and 57 minutes.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Hindi naging maganda ‘yung result ng game although we won, pero hindi ‘yun ‘yung gusto namin makita sa kanila. ‘Yun nga, nakuha ng UE ‘yung second set — nandoon na kami, lamang kami, pero nag-relax sila,” said Lady Spikers deputy coach Noel Orcullo.
He added, “Parang hindi nila nirespeto, hinintay na lang nila ang UE kung magkakamali o aayaw na.”
La Salle improved to 3-2, tying Far Eastern University at third place.
Rookie setter Mikole Reyes orchestrated the offense with 23 excellent sets, leading to four Lady Spikers scoring in double figures.
Angel Canino spearheaded the attack with 20 points built on 14 kills, three blocks, and three aces. She also contributed 10 digs and nine receptions.
Soreño and Malaluan chipped in 12 points apiece, while Provido added 11. Del Castillo and Shevana Laput each tallied eight points.
Libero Lyka De Leon shone on defense with 17 excellent digs and 16 receptions.
The Lady Spikers dominated the stat sheet, outgunning the Lady Warriors 52-33 in attacks and 15-6 in blocks.
“‘Yung nakita ko po nung nasa labas ako is nawala po ‘yung connection ng bawat isa. Nandoon na po sila, pero bakit po bumitaw? Nawala po ‘yung respeto sa kalaban. Kaya sa third set, pinanindigan namin na mali ‘yung nagawa namin sa second set, kaya naming bumangon,” said Soreño, who scored nine points in the third frame alone.
Up next, La Salle faces its traditional rival, Ateneo de Manila University, on Wednesday at the same venue. The Lady Spikers have won their last 14 meetings against the Blue Eagles.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
For UE, Van Bangayan was the lone bright spot, finishing with 17 points and 11 digs, as the Lady Warriors fell to 0-6. Kayce Balingit contributed nine points, while Khy Cepada was limited to just eight.
UE will look to close out the first round on a high note when it takes on Ateneo on Saturday.
#WATCH: La Salle deputy Noel Orcullo, along with Angel Canino, Jyne Soreño, and Mikole Reyes, emphasizes the need to stay sharp despite their four-set win over UE 🏐
📹 @ErnestTuazon /Tiebreaker Times#UAAPSeason87 pic.twitter.com/rFmn258udE
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) March 8, 2025
