By Ardyn Gonzales
The De La Salle University Lady Spikers recovered from a third set meltdown to defeat the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, 25-15, 25-14, 20-25, 25-19, in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament, Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
La Salle continued their mastery over their archrivals, winning their 17th consecutive victory against Ateneo which started since Season 79.
After dominating the Blue Eagles in the first two sets, the Lady Spikers were challenged in the third as Ateneo created a huge separation, 20-14, after a 12-all deadlock.
Shevana Laput tried to will La Salle to trim down the lead, but the Blue Eagles did not want to get swept as they successfully extended the match to a fourth.
Momentum seemed to have stayed with Ateneo’s side, quickly zooming to an 8-4 start in the fourth set. However, after the first technical timeout, the Lady Spikers snatched the lead at 9-8.
It was a seesaw battle until La Salle was able to widen the gap at 20-16 as Laput and Angel Canino connived down the stretch to take down the Blue Eagles.
The Lady Spikers tallied their fourth win of the season behind the career-high performance of Laput who finished with 25 points on 19 attacks, three kill blocks, and three service aces. Canino also had a productive day on both offense and defense with 19 markers on 13 attacks, four kill blocks, and two service aces.
La Salle is tied with FEU at the third sport with a 4-2 win-loss card, which will break as they take on the Lady Tamaraws on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the shorthanded Ateneo showed some great fight despite losing another key player to a season-ending injury. Team captain Lyann De Guzman and senior AC Miner led the Blue Eagles with 16 and 13 points, respectively as they fell down to 1-5 in the standings.
Featured image courtesy of UAAP
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