Want it to win it.
That mindset propelled University of Santo Tomas to four consecutive victories over De La Salle University from Season 86 through the first round of Season 87.
For the Lady Spikers, it had always been about heart — the desire to win. Unfortunately for them, the Golden Tigresses had the bigger heart during those matchups.
But not anymore.
De La Salle finally broke its losing streak against UST, eking out a thrilling 15-25, 25-17, 24-26, 25-20, 16-14 victory in the UAAP Season 87 second-round action on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“This has been a long time coming. It’s something we’ve been wanting ever since last year. This is a big hugot for us. So, there’s nothing to say except that I’m proud of us for getting through this,” said La Salle opposite spiker Shevana Laput postgame.
“I mean, since last year we’ve lost to UST, and we’ve played against them so many times. So imagine the build-up, the hugot that we have felt. So of course, we played with that in our hearts,” continued the 6-foot-2 Fil-Australian, who delivered 16 points.
“We want to win more, we know that we deserve to win, we’ve put in the effort. So that’s all we can say. It’s all about mentality.”
The Golden Tigresses had the Lady Spikers’ number since Season 86, dominating their encounters — including their first-round clash this year.
It all started in the first round of Season 86, where UST pulled off a stunning comeback from a 9-12 deficit in the fifth set to escape with a 25-18, 25-23, 14-25, 16-25, 15-12 victory.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
The Golden Tigresses followed it up in the second round, shaking off a first-set setback to claim a 22-25, 25-23, 25-16, 25-15 win.
Their mastery over La Salle continued in the Final Four, where UST held a twice-to-beat advantage but didn’t even need it. They once again prevailed in a five-setter, 25-20, 16-25, 25-20, 19-25, 15-7, to advance to the Finals, where they ultimately fell to the NU Lady Bulldogs in two games.
The trend persisted into the first round of Season 87, when UST clawed back from a 2-1 set disadvantage to edge out La Salle, 25-12, 22-25, 13-25, 25-23, 15-13.
“I think one of our advantages is that mas nanaig yung puso namin. Kasi as what I’ve said earlier, parang kailangan talaga namin gustuhin,” shared Alleiah Malaluan, who contributed 10 points in the victory.
“Although may lapses nga kami, at least, nandoon yung feeling namin na kahit may nawawala, may willing na mag-step up and at the same time, willing lahat kahit nagiging off, willing na we have this goal, we have to get this win. Para you know, you have that advantage as well.”
With this win over UST, La Salle improved to a 6-3 record, tying Far Eastern University for second place. They remain two games behind league-leader National University, which holds an 8-1 slate.
Up next for the Lady Spikers is a showdown with the resurgent Ateneo Blue Eagles on Wednesday at the Big Dome.
