By Ardyn Gonzales
The De La Salle University Lady Spikers stay undefeated after outlasting the defending champions National University Lady Bulldogs, 25-21, 25-19, 19-25, 25-18, in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament, Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
After going 0-4 in their match-up against the defending champions last season, La Salle finally solved the NU puzzle this first round of the elimination.
The Lady Spikers were in command in the first two sets, disrupting the Lady Bulldogs’ reception and floor defense with heavy serves and forcing them into playing out-of-system.
NU fought back in the third set to extend the match, but La Salle quickly recovered with a 15-3 start in the fourth to avoid a rubber set.
The Lady Bulldogs were able to come within two, 16-18, but the Lady Spikers pulled off a 7-2 finishing run to complete the statement win against NU and secure the first round sweep.
Shevana Laput led the Lady Spikers with 19 points, while fellow seniors Angel Canino and Amie Provido finished with 13 and 12 points, respectively. Lilay Del Castillo was feeling under the weather but Vida Caringal stepped up and contributed nine points.
The last time La Salle had a 7-0 start was back in Season 85 when they eventually reclaimed the championship.
Meanwhile, Sam Cantada, who played off-the-bench, led NU with 13 points as the seniors Arah Panique and Vange Alinsug were nowhere to be found this game, having been limited to rare single-digit scoring outputs. Shai Jardio anchored the Lady Bulldogs’ defense with 14 excellent receptions and 17 excellent digs.
NU suffered their second loss this season but remains at solo second in the standings.
Featured image courtesy of UAAP
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