De La Salle University rediscovered its winning ways with a 25-22, 24-26, 25-18, 25-17 decision over University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Sunday.
Coming off a five-set loss to the UST Golden Tigresses, the Lady Spikers rebounded and improved to 2-2, forging a triple-tie for third with the Fighting Maroons and the Adamson Lady Falcons.
“Actually, wala namang mahinang team ngayon sa UAAP. Lahat talaga macha-challenge ka makalaban sila. Mataas na yung level ng ginagawa ng bawat team kaya hindi mo pupwedeng sabihing mahina iyong kalaban. Kaya kailangan talagang challenge mo rin yung sarili mo para ma-overcome mo kung ano man yung ibibigay na laban sayo ng kalaban mo,” said La Salle deputy coach Noel Orcullo.
After the Fighting Maroons snagged the second set, they raced to an 8-3 lead in the third but the Lady Spikers, through Angel Canino, Shane Reterta, Jyne Soreño, and Lilay del Castillo, responded strongly to turn the tides and take the 2-1 set lead, 25-18.
Then in the fourth, La Salle pulled away from a close 16-15 battle with Reterta, Del Castillo, and Shevana Laput leading the way in their 9-2 finishing kick to earn the victory in two hours and eight minutes.
Canino delivered 24 points on 20 spikes and four blocks, while Laput chipped in 21 points spread through 15 attacks, three blocks, and three aces.
“Kahit po galing kami sa talo at ‘yung standing namin parang on edge rin, ‘yung mindset talaga namin is one game at a time and every game naman ibang preparation ‘yun. Ang maganda lang ngayon nagkakaroon na rin kami ng kumpyansa as a team and sa sarili so sana madala namin every game,” said Canino.
Del Castillo, a sophomore middle blocker, also impressed with 11 points on four blocks, four aces, and three attacks, while Lyka De Leon shone in her duty with 18 digs and 14 receptions.
La Salle seeks to build a winning run come Saturday when it faces winless University of the East also at the same venue.
Irah Jaboneta, a De La Salle Zobel product, paced UP with 15 points, 11 receptions, and eight digs, while Joan Monares backed her up with 11 points.
The Fighting Maroons received their second straight loss after opening the tournament with back-to-back wins against the UE Lady Warriors and the FEU Lady Tamaraws.
UP aims to get back on track on Wednesday against University of Santo Tomas.
