INTACT and hungrier than ever, La Salle raced out the gates in the UAAP Season 88 women's volleyball tournament, all while stomping on Far Eastern University in straight sets, 25-19, 25-14, and 27-25.
Shevana Laput was a mismatch for any opponent in front of her, firing 23 points on 48.7-percent attack efficiency in the Lady Spikers' convincing victory to open their redemption campaign.
The Taft towers handily took the first two sets before the Lady Tamaraws finally got something going in the third frame for a 16-12 advantage.
It was at that point, however, that Laput yet again put La Salle on her shoulders, as they scored six unanswered points to grab an 18-16 edge.
FEU swung back momentum in its favor and was one point away from claiming the frame only to see Laput and Angel Canino get together to save two match points.
With the two teams then on level ground at 25-all, the Lady Spikers' Fil-Aussie skipper came up big once more with back-to-back hits to seal the deal once and for all.
"It shows that we're a team that wants to win, that wants to redeem ourselves," she said post-game.
With Canino and Amie Provido flanking Laput with 15 and 11 points, respectively, and rookie setter Eshana Nunag off to a solid debut of 12 excellent sets on top of three markers, La Salle aced its first tough test, as it hopes to reclaim the crown it last wore in Season 86.
On the other hand, FEU suffered a setback to start the season, with captain Gerz Petallo the lone player in double-digits with 11 points.
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