By Ardyn Gonzales
The defending champions De La Salle University Lady Spikers prevailed over the National University Lady Bulldogs in last season’s finals rematch, 15-25, 25-19, 18-25, 25-19, 15-12, in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
It was as if the match was scripted as both teams alternately won the sets with a huge margin before battling it out in the fifth.
NU striked first in the first, then La Salle answered back in the second, until both teams were able to adjust in the neck-and-neck rubber set.
Bella Belen started strong in the fifth set, scoring back-to-back points for the Lady Bulldogs for a 2-0 lead. However, Angel Canino quickly responded and sparked a 4-0 run for a 4-2 advantage.
NU once again forced a series of deadlock until La Salle was able to pull away down the stretch 12-9.
With solo second at stake, Canino and Shevana Laput came up big with the finishing touches and connived to successfully fend off the Lady Bulldogs.
Canino scored six points in the fifth and 17 markers overall. Laput was the top scorer with season-high 20 points with an 18-to-39 attack rate.
Meanwhile, NU wasted a 2-1 advantage in the match as they suffered their second loss this season. Alyssa Solomon topscored for the Lady Bulldogs with 21 points, while Belen finished with 20 markers of her own, including 20 excellent digs.
Featured image courtesy of UAAP
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