De La Salle University unleashed an eight-point finishing run to fend off Adamson University, 19-25, 25-20, 25-21, 13-25, 15-5, and move a win away from sweeping the first round of the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Locked in a tight battle in the deciding set and ahead by just two points, 7-5, the Lady Spikers showed their resolve as Shane Reterta, Amie Provido, and Shevana Laput combined for eight unanswered points to keep the Lady Falcons at bay and seal the win in two hours and 16 minutes.
Reterta scored four points in that decisive run, while Provido added three — including two emphatic blocks on Lady Falcons leading scorer Frances Mordi.
It was De La Salle’s first five-set victory of the season, a character-defining performance heading into Sunday’s Finals rematch against defending two-time champion National University.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Nung natalo kami sa fourth set, sinabihan lang namin ‘yung mga bata na character ito. Dito na mailalabas kung ano ‘yung pinaghirapan niyo; dito niyo masusubok kung ano ‘yung meron kayo,” said La Salle assistant coach Noel Orcullo. “Nakita naman namin na gusto nilang lumaban, na gusto nilang manalo. Talagang ginusto nila.”
The Lady Falcons forced a deciding fifth set after dominating the fourth, 25-13, behind the efforts of Mordi and Shaina Nitura.
“We came to the game, our bodies were there, but our minds weren’t present. It took us until the fifth set to really gising, to wake up and realize that we came here for a purpose. We didn’t win two sets just to lose the fifth set. We didn’t come all the way to lose,” said Laput, who fired a career-best 26 points built on 19 attacks, six blocks, and one ace.
Season 85 MVP Angel Canino delivered an all-around performance with 19 points, 12 digs, and 11 receptions, while Reterta also impressed with 10 points, 12 receptions, and 11 digs.
Provido finished with nine points, while rookie playmaker Shan Nunag orchestrated the offense with 23 excellent sets.
Libero Lyka De Leon anchored the floor defense with 18 excellent digs and 14 excellent receptions.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, Adamson dropped to an even 3-3 record for a momentary solo fifth place.
The University of the Philippines (3-2) and the University of Santo Tomas (2-3) were playing each other as of publishing time.
Mordi paced the Lady Falcons with 22 points and nine receptions, while Season 87 Rookie of the Year Nitura tallied 21 points along with 17 excellent receptions and 10 excellent digs.
Thirdy Tuddao also chipped in 11 points on seven attacks, three blocks, and an ace, while rookie Joy Aseo added eight points and 13 digs.
Adamson will try to end the first round on a high note on Sunday when it faces the University of the Philippines.
