De La Salle University clawed back from an eight-point deficit in the third set and dominated the fourth to defeat rival University of Santo Tomas, 25-12, 18-25, 25-23, 25-14, moving closer to securing a playoff spot for a berth in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Final Four, Wednesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
The Lady Spikers improved to 9-0, but not without withstanding the Golden Tigresses’ impressive second-set performance.
Facing a 12-20 deficit in the third set, La Salle unleashed a decisive 13-3 run — highlighted by a Lilay Del Castillo block, a Shane Reterta ace, and an Angel Canino crosscourt hit — to seize control of the frame and turn the match around.
That pivotal run not only gave the Lady Spikers a crucial 2-1 set advantage but also fueled a 7-0 start in the fourth set. La Salle ultimately edged UST, snapping the Golden Tigresses’ three-game winning streak and extending their own unbeaten run to nine consecutive games.
Starting 9-0 for the first time since 2023 (Season 85), La Salle is on the verge of clinching at least a playoff for a Final Four slot. The Taft-based squad can secure it outright with a win over University of the Philippines on Sunday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion — or if Ateneo upsets Adamson later today.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“During the third set, rinemind ko lang yung mga bata. Sinabi ko na dahil aggressive yung kalaban, so kailangan lang na bawat situation, ilaban natin yung bawat situation,” La Salle head coach Ramil de Jesus said.
“Gawan ng paraan kung medyo hindi bagay dumadating sa ini-expect nila. Ilaban lang hanggang sa mapanalo yung situation, and nag-work naman. Unti-unting iginapang yung score hanggang dumating sa endgame.”
Taking confidence from their stunning third-set comeback, the Lady Spikers raced to an early 7-0 lead in the fourth frame and never looked back. They stretched their advantage to as much as nine points at 15-6 following a Shevana Laput crosscourt hit and a Marga Altea attack error.
UST sliced the lead to six at 16-10, but La Salle’s dominant start proved insurmountable. Three consecutive Golden Tigresses attack errors, a Canino crosscourt hit, and an Avril Bron double contact violation sealed the contest in one hour and 52 minutes.
“It was very much a battle of endurance. Who wanted it more, who could last the longest in terms of positive mindset, and in terms of aggressiveness? As you can see with the result of the game, at the end of the day, at least we were able to show who we truly are,” Laput said. She contributed 14 points on 11 attacks, two blocks, and one ace, along with five excellent digs.
Canino powered the Lady Spikers with 17 points on 15 attacks and two blocks, adding seven excellent digs and five excellent receptions. Reterta made her presence felt with 10 points on eight attacks and two aces, along with 15 excellent receptions and two excellent digs.
Season 87 1st Best Middle Blocker Amie Provido had nine points on five attacks, two blocks, and two aces, adding five excellent digs, while Lilay Del Castillo added seven points on five attacks and two blocks.
Rookie setter Eshana Nunag delivered 20 excellent sets, three points, and four excellent digs. Then Season 87 Best Libero Lyka de Leon bounced back from a shaky start to finish with 11 excellent digs and 10 excellent receptions.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
On the other hand, the loss dropped UST to a 5-4 record ahead of a critical second-round showdown against Far Eastern University at the same venue and date. The Lady Tams currently sit in joint second place with defending champion National University at 6-3.
MVP frontrunner Angge Poyos paced UST with 20 points on 19 attacks and one block, along with 12 excellent receptions and seven excellent digs, while Reg Jurado contributed 12 points on 10 attacks, along with five excellent receptions.
Nigerian middle blocker Blessing Unekwe had her best outing of Season 88 with eight points on seven attacks and was instrumental in UST’s second-set win. Season 86 Best Setter Cassie Carballo dished out 19 excellent sets along with seven points on four attacks and three aces.
