De La Salle University extended its dominant run in the 2024 Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship, defeating the University of the East, 23-25, 26-24, 25-20, 25-16, in Pool E on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
The unbeaten Lady Spikers rebounded after dropping the first set, marking their second win in the second round and fifth overall in the tournament.
Shevana Laput led La Salle’s attack, notching a game-high 20 points from 18 kills and two blocks.
“Very happy that we won. We’re glad we won two games. We’re just very happy with our game,” said Laput, the 2023 National Invitationals Most Valuable Player.
Angel Canino added 17 points, while Alleiah Malaluan and Amie Provido chipped in 12 and nine points, respectively.
The Lady Spikers had previously kicked off the second round-robin phase with a four-set win over defending champion National University.
La Salle now eyes a second-round sweep and a quarterfinal incentive in their upcoming match against College of Saint Benilde on Wednesday.
The Lady Warriors fell to a 1-1 record despite Casiey Dongallo’s 19-point effort and Jelai Gajero’s 11 markers.
Meanwhile, Far Eastern University and the University of the Philippines claimed their first wins in Pool F, sweeping the University of Santo Tomas (25-21, 25-23, 25-23) and Ateneo de Manila University (25-15, 25-22, 26-24), respectively.
(C) Roman Prospero/SSL
The Lady Tamaraws held off a comeback attempt by UST, who closed a nine-point deficit in the third set, to sweep their Pool F debut.
Jean Asis shined in her new role as an opposite hitter, contributing 12 points, including the match-sealing kill, helping FEU achieve its fourth straight win after sweeping the first round.
“Sobrang saya po kasi sa mga past games namin, hirap talaga kaming talunin sila. Finally, natalo namin sila in three sets. So ang sarap sa feeling na nagawa namin ‘yung part namin na maglaro ng maayos at ma-defeat sila,” said Asis, who shifted from middle blocker to the wing.
After a two-week break, the Lady Tamaraws built an early 13-4 lead in the third frame, poised for a quick victory after tightly contested opening sets.
However, UST’s Angge Poyos and Jonna Perdido ignited an 11-1 run, briefly putting the Tigresses ahead, 15-14. FEU regained the advantage, 21-18, but UST again leveled the score at 21.
The Lady Tamaraws then responded with a 3-1 surge to reach match point, which Regina Jurado briefly delayed before Asis closed the one-hour, 45-minute match.
Asis recorded eight kills and four of FEU’s 10 blocks, while Jazlyn Ellarina added 12 points from nine spikes, two blocks, and an ace.
UST’s loss brought their record to 1-1 in the second round, where twice-to-beat quarterfinal advantages are up for grabs.
Poyos posted 14 points, and Perdido added 10, snapping the Tigresses’ five-game winning streak.
(C) Roman Prospero/SSL
Kassandra Doering led the Fighting Maroons with 10 points in a balanced attack, while Irah Jaboneta contributed nine.
Costly errors marred the Blue Eagles’ efforts, dropping them to 0-2.
Sobe Buena paced Ateneo with nine points, and JLo Delos Santos and Zel Tsunashima added seven each.
The Lady Tamaraws will face Ateneo de Manila University on Sunday at 4:00 PM in another triple-bill playdate.
UST takes on the University of the Philippines at 1 p.m., while three-peat-seeking National University, aiming to recover from a four-set loss to La Salle, faces College of Saint Benilde at 7:00 PM.
The league also announced that a portion of ticket sales from October 26 to 30 will be donated to support victims of severe tropical storm Kristine.
