NATIONAL University did not seem convinced that it beat La Salle in the second round of the UAAP women's volleyball Season 86 fair and square. There perhaps was a nagging feeling that the win was a fluke.
The reason? The Lady Spikers' star player, Angel Canino, did not play because of an elbow injury. When Canino was available, NU had no answer and the Bulldogs lost five straight times since Season 85.
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This time, however, NU knew La Salle will not have a reason to say that it lost because its lineup was incomplete.
Last Sunday, in the opener of UAAP Season 87, in a matchup that could be a preview of the championship, NU prevailed as a healthy Canino failed to carry La Salle to victory and make it 6-0 while she is on board.
Season 85 saw La Salle complete a four-game season sweep of then-defending champion NU, having won both elimination-round matches and taking just two games in the finals to reclaim the women’s volleyball crown.
In Season 86, National U lost in the first round and bounced back to win the second-round match. That was the time Canino did not play because of an injury that remains a mystery to this day.
The two powerhouse teams would no longer cross paths in the Final Four that year as University of Santo Tomas got into the finals and ended what would have been the third straight championship series between NU and La Salle.
This season, Canino returned healthy and eager to again stamp her team's domination of NU. This time, however, NU was ready and beat La Salle in straight sets, 25-23, 25-21, 25-18.
Notably, La Salle’s third-year skipper Canino was held to a rare single-digit, seven-point peformance along with 13 receptions.
Lady Spikers head coach Ramil de Jesus did not seem bothered by the loss and explained it's just a small bump on the road. He believes that with their talent, Canino and fellow junior winger Shevana Laput should be up for the challenge ahead.
“Wake-up call ‘to sa kanila. Lahat naman kapag bagong team sa bagong generation, mataas ‘yung expectations kasi La Salle pa rin eh,” said RDJ.
“Dahil may Shevana Laput ka, may Angel Canino ka, mataas ‘yung expectation.”
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