De La Salle University, already assured of a 15th consecutive Final Four appearance, overcame a sensational 35-point explosion from rookie Shaina Nitura to pull off a dramatic come-from-behind 25-19, 21-25, 22-25, 25-18, 15-4 victory over Adamson University in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament on Wednesday afternoon at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Fueled by the combined efforts of Angel Canino, Shevana Laput, and Amie Provido — and boosted by the emergence of rookie Shane Reterta — the Lady Spikers bounced back from their previous loss.
They also kept pace with the University of Santo Tomas in the race for the remaining twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four.
Both teams now carry identical 9-4 records heading into the final weekend of the eliminations.
The win, coupled with UST’s sweep of the University of the Philippines earlier in the day, sets the stage for a high-stakes final round at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
To clinch the twice-to-beat edge, La Salle must beat fourth-seeded FEU on Saturday and hope UST falls to NU on Sunday. Should both UST and La Salle end up with the same win-loss record, a playoff for the No. 2 seed will be scheduled.
A more complicated scenario could unfold if the Lady Spikers lose to the Lady Tamaraws and UST also falls to the Lady Bulldogs. That would create a three-way tie for second place at 9-5.
In that case, the league will apply the win-loss record, head-to-head results, points ratio, and the FIVB Quotient System to determine Final Four seedings.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Yung paalala lang namin sa mga bata nung fifth set ay kung sino may gusto nito [at] kung sino may gustong manalo nung fifth set, ‘yon yun. Ginusto ng mga bata, gumalaw sila, umiral yung kagustuhan manalo, kaya ‘ayon, medyo napigilan na si Nitura kasi nabasa naman na nila ‘eh kung ano ginagawa,” said Lady Spikers lead assistant coach Noel Orcullo.
La Salle rode the momentum of a dominant fourth set, starting the fifth with a blistering 11-3 run highlighted by an off-the-block hit from Reterta and an ace from Provido.
That eight-point deficit proved too much for the Lady Falcons to overcome. A Canino kill, a Reterta crosscourt hit, and a quick attack by Lilay Del Castillo sealed the win in two hours and 15 minutes.
Another key to La Salle’s comeback was its improved defensive strategy against Nitura. After erupting for 29 points through the first three sets, the Adamson rookie sensation was held to just six points in the final two frames.
Canino led the charge for the Lady Spikers with 22 points on 20 attacks, along with 23 excellent receptions and two excellent digs. Laput followed closely with 21 points off 16 attacks, three service aces, and two blocks, while also tallying nine excellent receptions.
Provido chipped in 14 points built on 10 attacks and three service aces. Reterta, in her breakout performance, tallied nine points on seven attacks.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
The loss snapped Adamson’s late-season two-game winning streak, sending them to sixth place in the eight-team field with a 5-8 record.
Individually, Nitura’s electrifying 35-point performance once again went unrewarded. The Adamson rookie now holds a league-record six 30-point outings in a single UAAP women’s volleyball season — three of which have ended in heartbreaking losses to UP, UST, and now La Salle.
Joining Nitura in double digits for the Lady Falcons was Nigerian wing spiker Frances Mordi, who tallied 13 points on 10 attacks, while also registering 11 excellent receptions and nine digs.
Adamson will conclude its Season 87 campaign against the UP Fighting Maroons on Saturday, April 26, also at the Big Dome.
#WATCH: Rookie Shane Reterta earns high praise from Coach Noel Orcullo, Shevana Laput, and Angel Canino after her clutch heroics in La Salle’s epic comeback win over Adamson 🏐
📹 @ernesttuazon /Tiebreaker Times#UAAPSeason87 pic.twitter.com/ahPGeIDeNL
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) April 23, 2025
