De La Salle University seized the first twice-to-beat incentive in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament but it needed all the contributions it could muster to defeat gritty Adamson University.
The Lady Spikers clawed back from a 2-1 set deficit to frustrate the Lady Falcons, 25-17, 25-27, 23-25, 25-23, 15-9, Wednesday evening at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
For La Salle assistant coach Noel Orcullo, the team needed ugly wins like this to further develop their character with the postseason just around the corner.
The last elimination round playdate will be on April 30, with less than two weeks to go. National University, University of Santo Tomas, and Adamson look prime to secure the last three Final Four berths while Far Eastern University still has a backdoor chance but with its fate not already in its hands.
“Test of character nga yun yung lagi naming sinasabi sa kanila na kailangan may pagdaanan kayong mahirap na paghuhugutan niyo na pagdating ng ganitong labanan, lalabas yung character ninyo na kailangan hindi tayo magpatalo, ayun lumabas naman,” said Orcullo.
The first test of character the Lady Spikers had was on April 2 when the Golden Tigresses pounced on them in four sets, sending them to their first taste of defeat of the tournament.
After a two-week break, La Salle returned to the win column with a straight-sets victory over University of the Philippines.
Orcullo had the same sentiment after that win last Sunday, “After the game nung sa UST, yun din yung sinabi sa kanila (players) na kahit papaano makaranas kung paano babangon.”
Angel Canino erupted for a 28-point career-best performance in her young collegiate career on 22 attacks, five blocks, and a service ace along with exceptional 19 excellent receptions and six digs.
But even she admitted that the Lady Spikers’ performance dipped in the second set which the Lady Falcons snatched, 27-25, that enabled them to gain confidence and get third frame as well, 25-23.
“Naging relaxed po kami nung second set and medyo naging off po,” said the rookie sensation out of Bacolod.
“Nakita lang din namin and natest din po yung character namin inside and pinakita rin po namin sa huli kung ano kami and kung paano kami lumaban as a team.”
Canino shone brightly in the decider, scoring on all forms, making four points off spikes, two off blocks, and one off a service ace that sent La Salle to match point.
Thea Gagate also came through with a career-high 22 points including three blocks but she, too, is not yet satisfied with their performance.
She specifically pointed out the errors that they should lessen in their last two games of elimination before heading into the semifinals.
La Salle’s last two matches will be against also-ran squads Ateneo de Manila University and University of the East.
“I-lessen pa yung errors namin as a team kasi kailangan lang namin isipin kung saan kami dominante, kailangan lang namin tiyagain pa talaga sa training,” said the middle blocker.
