La Salle dominates Ateneo to keep No. 2 spot in UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tourney
Games on Saturday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
9 a.m. – UST vs ADMU (men)
11 a.m. – DLSU vs UE (men)
1 p.m. – UST vs ADMU (women)
3 p.m. – DLSU vs UE (women)
FOR the 16th straight time, De La Salle University got the better of fierce rival Ateneo De Manila University in a 25-21, 25-17, 25-20 win to solidify hold of the No. 2 spot and press its twice-to-beat bid in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Angel Canino braved a neck injury scare last weekend and stood at the forefront of the assault anew, firing 16 points on 16 hits as the DLSU Lady Spikers needed only 75 minutes to clip the ADMU Blue Eagles’ wings fresh from three straight wins.
Shevana Laput (14), Amie Provido (9), Katrina del Castillo (8) and Alleiah Malaluan (7) threw in solid contributions as rookie setter Mikole Reyes dished out 19 sets to facilitate La Salle’s balanced attack. Libero Lyka May de Leon provided 11 digs and 12 receptions.
La Salle has now won six of its last seven games to jack up its slate at 7-3, creating slight distance from closest pursuers Far Eastern University (6-4) and University of Santo Tomas (5-4) while striking closer to reigning champion National University (9-1) in the heated race with four games to go.
“This is our goal from the start. Our goal is to get a grip of that second spot for the twice-to-beat incentives so we’re hoping to sustain this,” said coach Ramil de Jesus, whose wards have been unbeaten against Ateneo since 2017.
The Lady Spikers could have not done it without the former MVP Ms. Canino, who was quick to recover from neck issues following an accidental collision with teammate Ms. Laput last weekend that prompted her immediate hospitalization after a comeback win over Santo Tomas.
“I’m doing really well and I’m better. The doctors gave a go-signal so I just rested it and followed the necessary protocols,” said Ms. Canino, who delivered 27 points, 13 digs and 13 receptions in the Lady Spikers’ 15-25, 25-17, 24-26, 25-21, 16-14 win over the Golden Tigresses.
AC Miner and Lyann de Guzman tried to put up a stand with 13 and 10 points, respectively, but the Blue Eagles’ firepower still fell short against the mighty Lady Spikers to slide to 4-6.
In the men’s division, Santo Tomas (6-4) clobbered Adamson (2-8) while La Salle 6-4) tripped Ateneo (6-4), 21-25, 25-18, 21-25, 25-22, 27-25, to forge a three-way tie at third spot. — John Bryan Ulanday
